As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marks his third year in office, Whitecloud TVET Solutions Limited joins millions of Nigerians in reflecting on the progress made in critical sectors that drive national growth, particularly Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), skills development, and human capital advancement.

Over the past three years, the administration has demonstrated a growing commitment to repositioning skills acquisition as a cornerstone of economic development, youth empowerment, job creation, and national productivity. At a time when nations across the world are investing heavily in human capital, Nigeria has continued to take strategic steps toward equipping its citizens with practical, industry-relevant skills needed to thrive in the modern economy.

One of the most remarkable developments within the nation’s skills ecosystem has been the increasing attention given to Technical and Vocational Education and Training. Through policy reforms, stakeholder engagements, and institutional support, TVET is gradually gaining the recognition it deserves as a vital pathway to employment, entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable development.

Particularly commendable is Nigeria’s growing engagement with WorldSkills International, the global movement dedicated to promoting excellence in vocational, technological, and technical skills. Nigeria’s participation in the WorldSkills community represents a significant milestone in the nation’s journey toward global competitiveness.

Beyond membership, it opens opportunities for Nigerian youths to benchmark their competencies against international standards, participate in global skills competitions, foster innovation, and showcase the immense talent and potential that exists within the country.

WorldSkills serves as a platform where nations prepare their workforce for the future, and Nigeria’s involvement reflects a deliberate commitment to producing a generation of highly skilled professionals capable of competing and excelling on the world stage.

This achievement aligns with the broader vision of creating a workforce that is not only employable but also globally relevant.

We also acknowledge the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Education in driving reforms within the TVET sector. The establishment of strategic committees and frameworks under the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Education under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa has further strengthened coordination, stakeholder engagement, and implementation of policies aimed at transforming skills development across the country.

Equally worthy of recognition is the pivotal role being played by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) under the leadership of its Director-General, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun. Through various initiatives focused on vocational training, apprenticeship development, workforce readiness, and industry-driven capacity building, the ITF has continued to bridge the gap between education and industry while supporting the Federal Government’s vision of building a skilled and productive workforce.

The renewed emphasis on practical skills acquisition, digital competencies, entrepreneurship, and industry partnerships has created new opportunities for young Nigerians to acquire relevant knowledge and become active contributors to the nation’s economic transformation.

As a leading organization committed to skills development and technical education, Whitecloud TVET Solutions Limited recognizes these achievements as important building blocks toward a more prosperous and self-reliant Nigeria. We remain committed to supporting government efforts, collaborating with industry stakeholders, and providing world-class training that equips Nigerians with the competencies required for success in today’s rapidly evolving world.

As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu celebrates three years of leadership, we congratulate him on the progress recorded in advancing skills development, strengthening technical education, and laying the foundation for a more competitive and economically resilient nation.

We also commend all stakeholders, institutions, development partners, and industry leaders who continue to contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s TVET and skills ecosystem.

Together, we can build a nation where skills drive prosperity, innovation fuels growth, and every Nigerian has the opportunity to realize their full potential.
Congratulations, Mr. President, on three years of purposeful leadership and commitment to national development.

Signed
Mr. Jasper Oluranti Netufo
Chairman/CEO
Whitecloud TVET Solutions Limited

Bamidele Johnson

VAT does not know who drinks what. Every time news breaks of Hisbah, Kano State’s moral police, smashing bottles of beer, millions of people, mostly in the South, erupt in rage.

Band A rage, that is. Most of the anger, I believe, is expressed by people who identify as Christians and who see the Muslim North as bad news.

The comment sections, especially on Facebook, burn hottest. The question that comes up again and again is why should states that ban the consumption of alcohol receive VAT from alcohol? I used to think this was a clever gotcha, but I no longer do. The argument rests on a moral instinct that feels good but dissipates in the face of law, economics, or basic fairness.

The claim is simple. If some states ban alcohol and even use religious agencies to seize or destroy it, they should not benefit from VAT generated from alcohol produced elsewhere. It sounds like justice. It is not. It is fiscal confusion. I do not expect this view to be popular with the permanently enraged.

VAT is not a prize awarded to states that host certain industries, but a national consumption tax collected by the Federal Government and shared using agreed constitutional formula.

Once collected, the money loses memory of its origin. It stops being alcohol VAT, gambling VAT, pork VAT, nightclub VAT or interest-based banking VAT. It is just VAT.

This debate is often framed as entitlement. If you ban alcohol, you should not “chop” alcohol money. I do not think states with Hisbah and other agencies that convulse at the thought of liquor are taking alcohol money. What they receive are statutory allocations from a common pool to which all parts of the federation contribute in different ways.

No state earns VAT by permission. None. Every state receives VAT by membership; because Nigeria exists as one fiscal unit.

There is also the small matter of selective memory. If moral purity is the standard, alcohol cannot be the only issue. VAT also comes from gambling, interest-based banking, insurance tied to interest and uncertainty, pork-based food items, nightclubs, adult entertainment, lottery and media content that would give religious leaders across faiths fits.

Southern states do not reject VAT because some of it comes from predatory loans, betting apps, pornography-adjacent entertainment or music and films churches regularly denounce. Moral filtering becomes impossible once the lens widens.

The argument also ignores economic reality. Citizens of states with alcohol aversion and moral police pay VAT outside their states every day. They travel, trade, bank, rent homes, insure assets, borrow money and work across Nigeria.

VAT is paid at the point of consumption, not at that of belief. A trader buying goods in Onitsha or a traveller spending in Lagos pays VAT regardless of what their home state bans. To deny their states a share is to believe that the economy stops at state boundaries.

The noise around Hisbah and smashed beer bottles, while emotionally powerful, is a distraction. Destroying alcohol within a state is an internal regulatory choice that has nothing to do with national revenue sharing.

A state can ban an activity locally without losing access to federal resources generated nationally. There is also an uncomfortable undertone that deserves honesty.

The Southern position suggests that religious difference should determine fiscal worth and that some Nigerians deserve less because their moral codes are stricter or simply different. Once accepted, that idea does not stop at alcohol. It starts asking who truly belongs and on what moral terms. That is no fiscal argument.

If we believe Nigeria should abandon pooled revenue and adopt strict derivation, the honest path is to argue for full constitutional restructuring and fiscal federalism across all sectors.

It is weak to single out alcohol and gambling as a special moral exception while enjoying the same system everywhere else.

VAT is not a moral endorsement of how other Nigerians live. It is the price of sharing a country. Sharing a country means no group gets to redesign the national revenue framework in the image of its own theology after the money has already been collected.

Adebayo Adeoye

Less than three years after stepping into office as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has steadily carved a distinct imprint on the nation’s diplomatic landscape.

In a world increasingly defined by shifting alliances, economic realignments and delicate geopolitical balances, he has proven himself, beyond rhetoric, to be a round peg in a round hole.

From the very beginning, Ambassador Tuggar approached the ministry not merely as an administrative responsibility, but as a strategic command centre for Nigeria’s global engagement. With an intellect sharpened by experience and a temperament grounded in composure, he has brought clarity and coherence to Nigeria’s foreign policy direction. His style is not loud, yet it resonates. It is measured, yet firm. It is thoughtful, yet decisive.

In multilateral corridors and bilateral negotiations alike, Tuggar has showcased the fine balance between diplomacy and national interest. He speaks with precision, listens with intent, and negotiates with foresight. Under his watch, Nigeria’s voice has not only been heard — it has been respected.

From strengthening regional partnerships within Africa to redefining economic diplomacy as a core pillar of engagement, he has demonstrated that foreign policy is not an abstract exercise; it is a tool for national development.

Economic diplomacy, in particular, has gained renewed momentum. Tuggar has consistently advanced conversations that align Nigeria’s external relations with internal growth objectives — trade expansion, investment attraction, diaspora collaboration and strategic partnerships.

His understanding of global power dynamics has allowed Nigeria to navigate complex international waters without losing sight of sovereign priorities.

Beyond policy frameworks and diplomatic communiqués, what distinguishes Ambassador Tuggar is his grasp of nuance. He understands that diplomacy in the 21st century demands adaptability, cultural intelligence and strategic patience. In moments of global uncertainty, his calm articulation of Nigeria’s position has reinforced confidence both at home and abroad.

Ambassador Tuggar stands as more than a minister occupying an office. He represents a refined blend of intellect and pragmatism — a diplomat who truly knows his onions and continues to position Nigeria not merely as a participant in global affairs, but as a consequential voice shaping them.

His diplomatic philosophy reflects both scholarship and experience. Soft-spoken but firm, analytical yet accessible, he understands that modern diplomacy demands more than ceremonial presence. It requires strategic thinking, cultural intelligence and the ability to translate global conversations into domestic gains. In high-level meetings and multilateral forums, he has projected Nigeria not as a peripheral player, but as a nation with agency, voice and influence.

Under his stewardship, Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture has taken on sharper definition. Economic diplomacy has moved from being a slogan to becoming a structured pursuit.

Trade partnerships, investment dialogues and diaspora engagement have gained renewed emphasis, reflecting his belief that diplomacy must ultimately serve the economic aspirations of the Nigerian people. For Tuggar, embassies are not mere outposts; they are gateways for opportunity.

Regionally, his role in strengthening West African cooperation has been marked by balance and foresight. In moments of political strain across the sub-region, Nigeria’s responses have carried both firmness and restraint — a testament to his appreciation of diplomacy as a stabilizing force. Globally, he has continued to articulate Nigeria’s positions on security, development, climate and economic equity with clarity and conviction.

What distinguishes Ambassador Tuggar most, perhaps, is his grasp of nuance. He listens before he speaks. He studies before he acts. He recognises that diplomacy is often about timing as much as it is about language. This deliberate approach has earned him respect among peers and renewed confidence within Nigeria’s diplomatic corps.

Two years on, his tenure reflects a steady recalibration of Nigeria’s external engagements — less reactive, more strategic; less performative, more purposeful.

Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has not merely occupied the office of foreign minister; he has grown into it, shaping it with intellect, composure and a forward-looking vision that continues to position Nigeria as a consequential voice in an evolving global order.