01/09/2026
The KOICA Nigeria Country Director, Eunsub Kim, received the newly appointed Rector of the Nigeria–Korea Friendship Institute of Vocational and Technical Education (NKFI), Dr. Onumoh Ahmed Yahaya, the Governing Council Chairman, Prof. Moses Atakpa,
and members of the Institute’s leadership for a courtesy and familiarization meeting at the KOICA Nigeria Office.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the new NKFI leadership to formally introduce itself to KOICA and reaffirm the longstanding partnership between Nigeria and the Republic of Korea in the development of technical and vocational education.
Dr. Yahaya briefed the Country Director on the current status of the Institute, its programmes and operations, key institutional priorities, and its strategies for future development. He also assured the Country Director of the Institute’s commitment to strengthening its operations, improving the quality and relevance of its training, and ensuring that NKFI continues to fulfil its mandate as a centre for practical and industry-oriented technical and vocational education.
The engagement also reflected on KOICA’s longstanding support to NKFI. The first phase, implemented from 2011 to 2015 with approximately US$3.5 million, supported the establishment of the Institute, development of infrastructure and workshops, provision of technical equipment, curriculum development, instructor training and Korean technical knowledge transfer.
A subsequent second phase of post-support focused on strengthening the Institute’s institutional management, curriculum, instructor capacity, equipment, learning resources, skills certification and linkages between training, employment and entrepreneurship.
During the meeting, Eunsub Kim emphasized the importance of continuous monitoring of graduate outcomes, particularly enrolment, graduation, employment, self-employment and linkages with relevant industries. He stressed that reliable graduate and employment data are important for assessing the relevance and impact of academic programmes, strengthening the connection between the Institute and industry, and informing future institutional development.
The Country Director further emphasized the importance of ensuring that NKFI functions optimally as a sustainable TVET institution, with strong institutional systems, qualified instructors, relevant programmes, effective industry partnerships and clear pathways for graduates into employment, entrepreneurship and further training.
KOICA reaffirmed its willingness to maintain dialogue with NKFI and explore appropriate opportunities for technical cooperation, capacity building and knowledge exchange in line with its mandate and available programmes.
The meeting marks a renewed engagement between KOICA and NKFI as both institutions look towards strengthening the impact and sustainability of the Nigeria–Korea partnership in technical and vocational education.
** ** https://nkfi.edu.ng/
