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By Daniel Adaji
Nigeria’s Sector Skills Council for Building (SSCBiN) is emerging as a key driver of future-ready competencies, according to its President, Bldr. Samson Opaluwah.
He made the case at the Global Skills Forum 2025 in Malaysia. His remarks set the tone for a conversation that drew attention to Nigeria’s role in shaping an industry-driven skills ecosystem.
The Forum, hosted under Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship, gathered more than 500 delegates from across the world to examine “The Role of Private Sector in Skills Development: Driving Innovation and Impact.”
Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Dato Seri Dr. Zahid Bin Hammidi, declared the event open, setting the stage for contributions from international organisations, governments and development partners.
Representing Nigeria as both speaker and panelist, Opaluwah outlined why Sector Skills Bodies (SSBs) remain central to anticipating workforce needs in fast-changing economies.
In a statement on Tuesday, Opaluwah pointed to their work in promoting quality apprenticeships, strengthening industry-led centres of excellence and championing sustainable financing models that can withstand global labour market disruptions.
Drawing on lessons from Ghana, Australia, Germany and Kenya, he said the private sector must stay firmly involved if countries intend to “drive innovation, foster relevant skills acquisition, and create sustainable employment opportunities across the globe.”
The session he joined brought together government officials, major employers, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other development partners. Their focus was on how to deepen public–private partnerships, align training with industry expectations and use digital tools to support widescale upskilling and reskilling.
Opaluwah restated Nigeria’s own direction of travel. He noted that the country is working to strengthen its skills architecture through collaboration with industry stakeholders, stressing that innovation and investment in skills development are “essential to unlocking economic growth and empowering Nigerian youth for global competitiveness.”