The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing technical and vocational education in the country, while emphasizing the need to prioritize skills over paper qualifications.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris stated this during a courtesy visit by the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Professor Idris Mohammed Bugaje and executives of the Creative Media Sector Skills Council, led by its Chairperson, Hajiya Fatima Haliru, in Abuja on Wednesday
He described the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) initiative under the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), as a game-changer for professionals who acquired competencies through hands-on experience but lacked formal certification. 
According to the statement released by his aide, the Minister said, “The message is clear: skills, not just degrees, define the future of our workforce. Many of young people are already talented in areas like photography, cinematography, and digital services.
“What this framework does is give them the recognition they deserve, opening pathways for higher training, employment, and entrepreneurship,” said Idris.
The Minister further pledged to work closely with the NBTE and the Council to ensure standardization and certification of skills within the creative sector, noting that this aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. 
He gave assurances that the federal Ministry of Information and Information will fully collaborate with stakeholders across the broadcast, advertising, and information sectors to raise professional standards, unlock economic opportunities, and empower Nigeria’s youth.
In response, the delegation, led by the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Prof. Idris Mohammed Bugaye and the Chairperson Creative Media Sector Skills Council, Hajiya Fatimah Halliru commended the Ministry of Information for championing the Renewed Hope Agenda and repositioning the information sector.
Professor Bugaje explained that the Creative Media Sector Skills Council, established just seven months ago as the 20th in Nigeria, has already developed 24 new qualifications in fields such as audio production, content creation, and photography. 
He emphasized the importance of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme, which he said is intended to certify informally trained professionals such as apprentices in media and broadcasting, giving them nationally recognized NSQ certificates.
The Creative Media Sector Skills Council, according to Hajiya Fatima, “has over 70% private sector participation, and is aligning with global best practices to ensure industry drives skill development.”
The event was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Mr Chinasa Ogbodo, the Director General of the NTA, Malam, Abdulhameed Dembos, the Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr Mohammed Bulama.
Also, the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria, Malam, Jibrin Baba Ndace, the Director General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr Olalekan Fadolapo, and the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ali M. Ali and President, Radio, Television and Theartre Workers Union (RATTAWU), Prince Emeka Kalu.
