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, in recognition of efforts to advance practical skills development and technology-driven vocational training in Nigeria.
The award was presented during the summit, which brought together government officials, industry leaders, traditional rulers, institutional representatives and international delegates to discuss strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s human capital and building a workforce capable of supporting industrial growth.
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Held under the theme, “Unlocking Nigeria’s Human Capital for Industrial Transformation: Building Skills, Driving Innovation and Creating Prosperity,” NIMS 2026 placed technical and vocational education, professional competence and industry-led training at the centre of discussions on national development.
Oluranti’s recognition highlights the growing importance of innovative approaches to technical education as Nigeria seeks to bridge skills gaps, improve workforce productivity and prepare young people for employment in evolving industries.
A central focus of the summit was the need to align education and vocational training with the practical requirements of employers.
Participants considered how stronger partnerships between government, training institutions and the private sector could improve workforce readiness and create sustainable economic opportunities.
The summit featured Senator John Owan Enoh, Minister of State for Industry; Hon. Adamson Oluwatosin Ayinde, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development and convener of the summit; and Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin, Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, underscoring the importance attached to industrial training and workforce development within the summit’s agenda.
International participation also featured prominently, with the President of Guinea represented by his special envoy, Ismaël Nabé, Minister of Economic Planning.
The diplomatic delegation included ambassadors representing Guinea in Nigeria, Kenya and China.
Their participation broadened discussions on international cooperation in skills development, technological advancement and industrial capacity building, reflecting the value of partnerships in addressing workforce challenges across African economies.
The summit also examined the development of a long-term National Industrial Workforce Strategy, stronger technical and vocational education and training (TVET) systems, improved apprenticeship pathways and closer collaboration between educational institutions and employers.
Dr Oluwatoyin’s contributions on project management and competence enhancement highlighted the importance of equipping workers with the practical and professional capabilities required to improve organisational performance and industrial productivity.
The Industrial Training Fund remains an important institution in Nigeria’s efforts to promote industrial skills acquisition and workforce training.
The National Board for Technical Education also plays a significant role in regulating and supporting technical and vocational education across the country.
Discussions at NIMS 2026 reflected a wider challenge facing Nigeria’s economy: ensuring that the knowledge and skills acquired through education translate into competencies that employers need.
As industrial processes become increasingly technology-driven, practical experience and continuous professional development are becoming more important to employability and enterprise growth.
For Whitecloud TVET Solutions Limited, Oluranti’s award brings attention to the potential of technology-enabled training in strengthening technical education.
The company’s work includes the use of Soldamatic augmented reality technology, an approach designed to support practical welding training through simulated learning environments.
Such technologies can provide trainees with opportunities to practise technical procedures in a controlled setting before applying their skills in real-world industrial environments.
Their effectiveness, however, depends on appropriate implementation, qualified instructors and alignment with recognised industry standards.
Following the recognition, Oluranti expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for creating opportunities that support technological advancement and technical skills development in Nigeria.
He also acknowledged the importance of institutions such as the Industrial Training Fund and the National Board for Technical Education in strengthening vocational training and connecting learning with industry needs.
The recognition comes amid growing calls for Nigeria to expand practical training opportunities and improve pathways from education to employment.
Technical and vocational education offers routes into skilled occupations, entrepreneurship and industrial careers, particularly for young people seeking alternatives or additions to conventional academic pathways.
However, translating such ambitions into lasting economic benefits will require sustained investment in training facilities, instructors, equipment and partnerships with employers.
Access to modern technology must also be accompanied by quality assurance and programmes that respond to changing labour-market demands.
The award to Oluranti therefore places renewed attention on the role of innovation in technical and vocational education and the contribution of organisations working to improve skills development.
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As Nigeria pursues economic diversification and industrial expansion, the discussions at NIMS 2026 reinforce a fundamental message: investment in infrastructure and technology must be matched by investment in people, whose skills and competence ultimately determine how effectively those resources support productivity, employment and national prosperity.
