NIMS 2026: Presidency, ITF Set Agenda For 10-Year Industrial Workforce Strategy.

The Presidency and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) have announced plans for the second edition of the National Industrial Manpower Summit (NIMS 2.0), with a renewed focus on transforming Nigeria’s human capital into a stronger driver of industrial growth, innovation and job creation.

The summit, scheduled for October 15 and 16, 2026, at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, will be held under the theme- “Unlocking Nigeria’s Human Capital for Industrial Transformation: Building Skills, Driving Innovation and Creating Prosperity.”

Speaking at a joint press conference ahead of the summit, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development, Hon. Adamson Oluwatosin Ayinde, said NIMS was established as a Presidential platform to address the critical question of how Nigeria can develop the skilled, productive and innovative workforce required to drive industrial transformation.

Hon. Adamson Ayinde said the inaugural NIMS in 2025 attracted more than 2,500 delegates from over 10 countries, with about 120 speakers and resource persons, while more than five Memoranda of Understanding were signed.

According to him, the recommendations and communiqué from the maiden summit were transmitted to the Presidency and have continued to inform policy discussions and institutional interventions.

He noted that NIMS was beginning to demonstrate that it was more than a conference, stressing that the platform was increasingly contributing to concrete policy and institutional outcomes.

Among the developments recorded since the 2025 summit, Ayinde highlighted progress in strengthening Nigeria’s national skills architecture, particularly through the National Council on Skills chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

He also pointed to the increased prominence of manpower development in the National Industrial Policy launched in 2026, arguing that industrial development must go hand in hand with the development of the people who operate, manage and innovate within the industrial sector.

Hon. Ayinde further disclosed that more than 250,000 nano, micro and small businesses had benefited from free registration and training initiatives being implemented through the Corporate Affairs Commission, Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and SMEDAN, following a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said the initiative was designed to formalise enterprises and strengthen the capacity of Nigerians operating in the MSME and informal sectors.

He also announced that work had commenced on a proposed National Industrial Manpower Competence Registry/Portal in partnership with the ITF and Bank of Industry, aimed at addressing the persistent challenge of inadequate data on available industrial skills and future manpower requirements.

The SSAP-ITD added that about 50 participants received skills-development financial support following the 2025 summit, with plans to substantially increase the number of beneficiaries in 2026 and strengthen the pathway from skills acquisition to certification, employment, entrepreneurship and enterprise development.

For the 2026 summit, Hon. Adamson Ayinde said the focus would shift decisively from dialogue to implementation.

He identified four strategic priorities: reforming workforce development for industrial growth; preparing Nigerian talent for emerging industries and future technologies; converting skills into jobs, enterprises and manufacturing capacity; and positioning Nigeria as Africa’s hub for industrial talent and innovation.

He said the summit would also advance the development of a 10-year National Industrial Workforce Strategy, sector-specific workforce roadmaps, stronger Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) and apprenticeship systems, deeper industry-academia collaboration and accelerated training in emerging fields including artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing.

According to Hon. Adamson Ayinde, the organisers intend to ensure that major outcomes from NIMS 2026 are backed by clear ownership, timelines and accountability through action committees, progress monitoring, partnership implementation and continuous stakeholder engagement.

Also speaking, the Director-General and Chief Executive of the Industrial Training Fund, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, described the ITF as a principal partner and co-host of the Presidential initiative, reaffirming the Fund’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial skills ecosystem.

Dr. Afis Ogun said the maiden edition of NIMS helped establish the summit as a high-level platform for bridging the gap between education, vocational training and the manpower requirements of industry.

He noted that the 2025 summit also facilitated more than five strategic MoUs and inter-agency collaborations, while providing a platform for expanded apprenticeship, artisan and technician upskilling initiatives across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

According to the ITF Director-General, NIMS 2.0 represents a new phase focused on implementation, scaling and measurable impact, with policymakers, industrial leaders, educators and global development partners expected to work together on practical solutions to Nigeria’s workforce challenges.

Dr. Ogun said the ITF would deploy its more than five decades of institutional training experience, national infrastructure and industry relationships towards delivering key outcomes of the summit.

These, he said, include the development of a 10-year National Industrial Workforce Strategy roadmap, expanded Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) reforms and standardised skills certification, as well as cross-sector partnerships to fund, scale and integrate skilled Nigerian talent into manufacturing, technology and other critical industrial sectors.

The ITF boss urged private-sector players, investors and industry captains to participate actively in NIMS 2026, stressing that the summit was designed to address workforce challenges confronting businesses and create a sustainable talent pipeline capable of supporting industrial expansion.

Both Hon. Adamson Ayinde and Dr. Afis Ogun called on the media, private sector, training institutions, development partners, professional bodies and young Nigerians to support the initiative and contribute to building a workforce capable of driving Nigeria’s long-term economic prosperity.

The organisers said the central message of NIMS-2026 is that Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable industrialisation without investing in its people, noting that infrastructure, capital and technology can only deliver their full potential when supported by skilled and productive human capital.

With NIMS 2025 described as the beginning of the conversation, the organisers said the 2026 edition is intended to convert those discussions into measurable action and lasting industrial outcomes.