Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, on Wednesday, 16th September, 2026, played host to the Industrial Training Fund as the Fund held its Quarterly Meeting on campus. As part of the activities marking the meeting, a delegation from the ITF paid a courtesy visit to the University Management.
The delegation was led by the Area Manager of the ITF Bayelsa Chapter, Mrs. Oluwatosin O. Akinbola, in company of the Head of Training, Mr. Udofia Felix Udofia, and the SIWES Officer, Mr. Iwebor Emmanuel. Mrs. Akinbola commended the University for its outstanding support and effective implementation of the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme. She gave special commendation to the Director of the SIWES Unit, Prof. Kenneth Okiongbo, for representing the University excellently.
She further called for deeper partnership between the University and the ITF in the area of staff training, noting that training the nation remains the core mandate of the Fund.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Allen A. Agih, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Tonbarapagha Kingdom, warmly welcomed the team and assured them that the doors of the University remain wide open for collaboration. He emphasized the readiness of staff to participate in ITF training programmes and requested that training flyers be made available to enable interested staff apply for TETFund sponsorship. The Area Manager assured that the flyers would be provided for proper publicity across the University community.
In an update on its programmes, the Head of Training announced that the National Industrial Skills Development Programme has been modified to the Skill-Up Artisans Programme. Under the new programme, artisans will now receive formal certification upon completion of their training, a development described as a major boost for skills development and employability.
The delegation concluded the visit with an invitation to the University to nominate two representatives, including the Director of SIWES, for the forthcoming SIWES Retreat scheduled for November, 2026. The University Management thanked the ITF for choosing NDU as host for its Quarterly Meeting and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the partnership between both institutions.
