The Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund, Afiz Ogun, has said Nigerians will be happier if President Bola Tinubu is re-elected in 2027, while defending the administration’s economic reforms. Ogun spoke on Thursday in Jos during activities marking the 55th anniversary of the Industrial Training Fund and his third year as Director-General. The ITF chief […]
The Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund, Afiz Ogun, has said Nigerians will be happier if President Bola Tinubu is re-elected in 2027, while defending the administration’s economic reforms.
Ogun spoke on Thursday in Jos during activities marking the 55th anniversary of the Industrial Training Fund and his third year as Director-General.
The ITF chief said he decided to make what he described as a brief campaign appeal after observing the reactions of participants and guests at the event.
He acknowledged concerns over the high cost of petrol and the economic difficulties facing Nigerians but maintained that the government’s reforms were producing results.
Ogun singled out fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange-rate unification, saying both policies were in the country’s interest despite the immediate hardship associated with them.
He argued that the previous foreign exchange system was unstable and prevented businesses and investors from making reliable plans because of frequent fluctuations in the value of the naira.
According to him, the exchange rate initially deteriorated sharply after the Tinubu administration introduced its reforms but has now begun to stabilise.
Ogun also defended the removal of petrol subsidy, alleging that the previous system was being exploited by a small group while subsidised fuel was smuggled across the country’s borders.
He said Nigerians were experiencing hardship as a result of the reforms but urged them to remain patient, arguing that those who benefited from the previous system would resist efforts to maintain the new arrangement.
The ITF DG also pointed to what he described as improved industrial harmony in the education sector, arguing that the frequency of lecturers’ strikes had reduced under the current administration.
Ogun praised Tinubu’s approach to appointments, saying he was appointed ITF Director-General in 2023 despite having no previous personal relationship with the President.
He also praised Tinubu’s tenure as Lagos governor, arguing that the policies implemented during that period helped lay the foundation for the state’s subsequent growth.
The ITF boss called on Nigerians to move beyond ethnic and religious considerations when evaluating the government, urging them to focus on the country as a whole.
He also highlighted his administration’s achievements at the ITF since October 2023, including expanded skills training, digital reforms, staff welfare initiatives and international partnerships.
Ogun said the Skill-Up Artisans programme had trained hundreds of thousands of Nigerians, while thousands of artisans had also undergone international certification examinations.
The 55th anniversary event featured cultural performances by students of the ITF Model School, interfaith prayers and a novelty football match between management and junior staff.