JOS, NIGERIA — The Industrial Training Fund has officially opened a new fuel station in Jos, Plateau State, a move the agency said would improve access to petroleum products, particularly for its staff, while expanding its footprint in Nigeria’s economic development.
The facility, which has a storage capacity of 47,600 litres, was inaugurated on Saturday. According to the ITF, the station is designed to serve the agency’s fleet and operational vehicles, reduce downtime associated with fuel scarcity, and generate additional revenue to support the Fund’s training and development programmes.
The ITF Director-General described the project as part of the agency’s broader strategy to diversify its income streams and reduce reliance on government allocations. He noted that the station would not only serve the Fund’s internal needs but would also be open to the public, contributing to the local economy and improving fuel availability in the Jos metropolis.
“The establishment of this fuel station is a strategic decision aimed at enhancing our operational efficiency and ensuring that we have uninterrupted access to fuel for our vehicles and equipment,” the Director-General said. “It is also a demonstration of our commitment to generating internally generated revenue that will support our core mandate of developing Nigeria’s human capital through skills training.”
The ITF has been expanding its commercial ventures in recent years as part of efforts to become more self-sustaining. The agency operates training centres across the country and has been exploring partnerships with private sector organisations to deliver skills development programmes.
The Plateau State Government welcomed the initiative, with officials describing it as a positive development that would boost economic activity in the state. The government also pledged to support the ITF’s efforts to expand its operations in the region.
The Jos fuel station is expected to create jobs and provide a reliable source of petroleum products for motorists and businesses in the area. It also serves as a model for how government agencies can leverage their assets to generate revenue while fulfilling their public service mandates.
This development aligns with the broader goal of enhancing Nigeria’s economic infrastructure and reducing dependency on public funding. The ITF’s move into commercial ventures demonstrates a growing trend among government agencies to seek sustainable funding models for their operations and development programmes.
