The Director-General of the *Industrial Training Fund (ITF)*, *Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun* received in audience the Renewed Hope Global delegation at the ITF Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, in a meeting focused on deepening collaboration for national progress and economic development.
The visiting team was led by *Ambassador Joseph Kolawole Adebola, Esq., MNIM, MCICN*, Chairman, Renewed Hope United Kingdom and Chief Host of the Renewed Hope Global Virtual Town Hall Conference. *Hon. Nick Apata*, Chairman of Renewed Hope Canada, and *Prof. Ali Alao*, a globally renowned cybersecurity expert, accompanied him.
Discussions during the meeting centred on skills development, youth empowerment, and opportunities for meaningful Diaspora participation in national transformation efforts.
While appreciating the Renewed Hope platform for providing a consistent medium for engagement between government officials and Nigerians across the globe, Dr Ogun reiterated that the Industrial Training Fund had moved away from the traditional approach of distributing starter packs to trainees of its skills training programmes.
According to him, ITF now prioritises international certification, enabling participants to become globally competitive and job-ready in Nigeria and abroad.
“The ITF has redefined the narrative around skills acquisition by aligning our programmes with global standards. Certification from recognised international awarding bodies ensures that our trainees are skilled, employable, and marketable worldwide,” Dr Ogun noted.
He particularly commended Hon. Nick Apata for his bold investment in Nigeria’s vocational sector, especially the establishment of a welding institution that is training several Nigerian youths, including those undertaking underwater welding courses. The DG described the initiative as patriotic and promised to explore areas of collaboration on strategic projects.
“I am deeply impressed by what Hon. Apata is doing. It is an example of true nation-building. I urge other Nigerians in the Diaspora to emulate this gesture and take active steps in investing back home,” he said.
In his response, Ambassador J.K. Adebola appreciated the Director-General’s warm reception and reaffirmed the commitment of the Renewed Hope Global Conference to supporting national development through active dialogue, civic education, and policy engagement.
“We believe strongly in the power of conversations that drive action. Our platform continues to provide a bridge between leaders and citizens, especially young people eager to contribute meaningfully to nation-building,” Adebola noted.
Hon. Nick Apata acknowledged the DG’s encouragement and pledged to sustain efforts toward human capital development through vocational training in Nigeria.
It would be recalled that Dr Afiz Ogun had previously featured at the Renewed Hope Global Conference on November 9th, 2024, where he passionately shared his vision for reforming Nigeria’s skills development sector, the milestones ITF had achieved under his watch, and bold projections for the future.
Signed:
Jacob Ogunseye
Director of Publicity
Renewed Hope United Kingdom
