Netufo Jasper Oluranti wins the 2026 Industrial Manpower Award for TVET innovation at the National Industrial Manpower Summit in Abuja
The President of Whitecloud TVET Solutions Limited, Netufo Jasper Oluranti, has received the 2026 Industrial Manpower Award for Innovation in Technical and Vocational Education at the National Industrial Manpower Summit (NIMS) 2026 in Abuja.
The recognition came as government officials, industry leaders, traditional rulers, institutional representatives and other stakeholders gathered to discuss ways of strengthening Nigeria’s human capital and preparing the workforce for the demands of modern industry.
NIMS 2026 was held under the theme, “Unlocking Nigeria’s Human Capital for Industrial Transformation: Building Skills, Driving Innovation and Creating Prosperity.”
The summit placed practical skills, professional competence, innovation and industry-driven training at the centre of discussions on Nigeria’s industrial development.
Among those who attended were the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development and convener of the summit, Hon. Adamson Oluwatosin Ayinde; and the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was represented at the event by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi.
The summit also attracted international participation, highlighting the growing importance of cooperation in skills development, technology and industrial capacity building.
The President of Guinea was represented by his special envoy and Minister of Economic Planning, Ismaël Nabé.
The diplomatic delegation also included ambassadors representing Guinea in Nigeria, Kenya and China.
Their participation added an international dimension to discussions on workforce development, technological advancement and opportunities for stronger cooperation across Africa.
The gathering underscored the need for collaboration between governments, training institutions and industry to address skills gaps and prepare workers for changing economic demands.
Discussions at NIMS 2026 also examined the development of a long-term National Industrial Workforce Strategy, stronger technical and vocational education and training (TVET), improved apprenticeship pathways and deeper partnerships between government, training institutions and the private sector.
The ITF Director-General, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin, addressed issues around project management and competence enhancement, reflecting the summit’s focus on building a capable and productive workforce.
The Industrial Training Fund remains an important institution in Nigeria’s industrial skills development and workforce training efforts, making its participation significant to conversations around aligning vocational education with the practical needs of employers.
Stakeholders from government institutions, financial organisations, manufacturing and enterprise-development bodies also participated in discussions on workforce readiness, industrial productivity and skills development.
Institutions represented within the broader industrial and enterprise ecosystem included the Bank of Industry, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund and National Automotive Design and Development Council.
Oluranti’s award draws attention to the growing role of innovative approaches in technical and vocational education, including technology-driven training methods such as Soldamatic augmented reality solutions.
Technical and vocational education provides practical pathways for people to acquire skills for employment, entrepreneurship and participation in productive industries.
The recognition therefore highlights the importance of strengthening TVET as Nigeria seeks to develop a workforce capable of supporting industrial expansion and economic diversification.
Receiving the award, Oluranti expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating opportunities that support technological advancement and the development of technical skills in Nigeria.
He also acknowledged the importance of an enabling environment where technology, innovation and practical training can contribute more effectively to national development.
Oluranti recognised the role of institutions such as the Industrial Training Fund and the National Board for Technical Education in advancing vocational education, improving workforce competence and strengthening links between training and industry.
The recognition comes amid growing attention to the need to equip young Nigerians and existing workers with skills that match emerging opportunities.
As technology and industrial processes continue to evolve, stakeholders at the summit stressed the importance of practical training, industry partnerships and continuous professional development.
The discussions also highlighted a persistent challenge for Nigeria: ensuring that skills acquired through education and training correspond with the needs of employers and the wider economy.
For Oluranti, the award places renewed attention on the role of innovative TVET solutions in bridging that gap.
The broader message from NIMS 2026 was that sustainable industrial development requires more than investment in infrastructure and technology.
It also requires investment in people and in the knowledge, practical skills and competence needed to turn those investments into productivity, enterprise growth and sustainable employment.
