A five-day national workshop on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) has begun in Abuja, Nigeria, aimed at equipping trainers and quality assurance managers with the tools to assess and certify individuals based on skills acquired outside formal education systems.
The training, held from April 14 to 18, brought together 31 participants, including policymakers, trainers, and representatives from various ministries, universities, technical institutions, and professional bodies. It is focused on aligning informal skills with Nigeria’s national qualification framework, helping to integrate the informal workforce into the formal economy.
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RPL allows individuals to gain formal recognition for their prior experience and competencies. It is especially relevant in Nigeria, where a significant portion of the workforce operates in the informal sector.
In his opening remarks, a top education official emphasized the potential of RPL to transform informal skills into formally recognized qualifications. He noted that despite the high level of talent and innovation in places like Computer Village in Lagos, there is a need for support in branding and marketing local products to compete globally.
The Secretary General of the organizing network, who also serves as a workshop facilitator, described the training as a model for other African countries. He stressed the importance of building a skilled and productive workforce through support for apprenticeships and skills development, viewing RPL as a key mechanism in this effort.
A representative of the Federal Ministry of Education reiterated the government’s support for formalizing the informal sector and encouraged participants to take the initiative seriously.
Two international experts are leading the sessions: a former CEO of the Mauritius Qualifications Authority who developed a national qualifications framework in his country, and a Kenyan architect and certified RPL expert. Both bring decades of experience in technical and vocational education.
The workshop is also receiving technical support from an international development agency representative, contributing to the overall goal of expanding skills recognition across the continent.
Group sessions and discussions are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to assess and recognize skills informally acquired, paving the way for greater social inclusion, economic empowerment, and national development.
