The Industrial Training Fund (ITF), a key Nigerian agency focused on workforce development, has firmly denied reports suggesting plans to relocate its headquarters from the city of Jos. Thomas Ngor, the organization’s Head of Press and Public Relations, issued a statement on Friday dismissing the claims as baseless, following concerns raised by a local lawmaker about a potential move.
The clarification came after Prof. Theodore Maiyaki, a member of Plateau State’s House of Assembly, highlighted the issue during a legislative session, prompting public speculation. Ngor emphasized that no formal discussions about relocation had taken place within the ITF’s leadership, its governing council, or its supervising body, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment. “Such a decision would involve multiple procedural steps, none of which have been initiated,” he stated.
Jos, the capital of Plateau State in central Nigeria, has housed the ITF’s headquarters since 1976, when the organization moved from Lagos. Ngor underscored the city’s historical significance to the agency, noting its role in fostering the ITF’s identity and its contributions to local economic development. “Our longstanding ties to Plateau State are non-negotiable. Jos remains the core of our operations and our commitment to Nigeria’s industrial growth,” he said.
The ITF, established in 1971, plays a pivotal role in vocational training and skills development across Nigeria, addressing unemployment and promoting economic diversification. Its presence in Jos has been linked to job creation and partnerships with local institutions, making the city a hub for industrial education initiatives.
Ngor expressed openness to further dialogue with state authorities and stakeholders to address concerns, reaffirming the agency’s focus on collaboration. He urged the public to disregard the relocation rumors, calling them “misleading and without merit.”
The debunked speculation highlights sensitivities around federal agency movements in Nigeria, where regional representation often carries political and economic weight. For now, the ITF’s stance signals stability for Jos, a city that has faced economic challenges in recent decades, and reinforces its strategic role in national development plans.
