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 award recognises Oluranti’s work in technical and vocational education and highlights the growing role of technology-driven training in preparing Nigerians for employment and industrial development.
The summit, held under the theme, “Unlocking Nigeria’s Human Capital for Industrial Transformation: Building Skills, Driving Innovation and Creating Prosperity,” brought together government officials, industry leaders, traditional rulers, diplomatic representatives and institutional stakeholders to discuss workforce development and industrial productivity.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was represented at the event by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi. Other prominent participants included the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development and summit convener, Hon. Adamson Oluwatosin Ayinde; and the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin.
The summit also attracted an international delegation, including representatives of the President of Guinea, led by the country’s Minister of Economic Planning, Ismaël Nabé, alongside ambassadors representing Guinea in Nigeria, Kenya and China.
Discussions focused on addressing skills gaps, strengthening technical and vocational education and training (TVET), improving apprenticeship programmes and building partnerships between government, training institutions and private businesses.
The ITF Director-General spoke on project management and competence enhancement, highlighting the importance of professional development and practical training in building a workforce capable of meeting employers’ needs.
Participants also examined the proposed development of a long-term National Industrial Workforce Strategy to align training with the changing requirements of modern industries.
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Receiving the award, Oluranti expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for supporting initiatives aimed at advancing technological innovation and technical skills development in Nigeria.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the ITF and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to strengthening vocational education, improving workforce competence and connecting training with industry needs.
Whitecloud TVET Solutions has drawn attention to technology-based training approaches, including Soldamatic augmented reality solutions, as part of efforts to improve practical skills acquisition.
Technical and vocational education provides pathways for young people and existing workers to acquire job-ready competencies, pursue entrepreneurship and participate in productive sectors of the economy.
The recognition comes amid continuing discussions about how Nigeria can better match educational outcomes with labour-market demands, particularly as technology transforms manufacturing, engineering and other industrial fields.
The summit organisers emphasised that sustainable industrial growth requires more than investment in infrastructure and equipment. It also depends on developing a skilled workforce through practical learning, industry collaboration and continuous professional training.