The Industrial Training Fund (ITF), is set to establish a Digital Fabrication Centre in Enugu, Souteast Nigeria, following the State government’s approval of land for the project to promote local manufacturing, innovation and employment.
The Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah announced the approval when he received an ITF delegation led by its Director-General, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, at the Government House, Enugu.
Governor Mbah described the project as timely and consistent with his administration’s vision of positioning Enugu as a destination for investment, innovation and technology-driven industrial development.
He said; “Economic prosperity depends on deliberate investments in human capital and emerging technologies,”noting that the State was creating an enabling environment for innovation, enterprise and sustainable growth.
The Governor said his administration had made technical education compulsory in the State’s basic education system, with emphasis on digital literacy, robotics and mechatronics to prepare young people for the future.
He said; “Many traditional trades are now driven by digital technologies, making it imperative to equip young people with relevant technical competencies that will enable them to compete globally and contribute meaningfully to economic development.”
Governor Mbah also disclosed that the State had built smart schools equipped with robotics centres, mechatronics laboratories and other modern learning facilities.
“Artificial intelligence is expected to contribute about $20 trillion to the global economy in the coming years.
“The proposed centre will strengthen Enugu’s drive to build a knowledge-based economy, foster innovation, promote local manufacturing and create jobs for its growing youthful population,” the Governor said.
The ITF Director-General, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had mandated him, upon his appointment, to upskill Nigerian artisans to international standards.
He said; “the Fund had repositioned its technical and vocational skills development programmes through initiatives such as the Skill-Up Artisans, SUPA, Programme, designed to train, certify and licence Nigerian artisans to international standards.”
Dr. Ogun disclosed that the ITF had established a Digital Fabrication Centre in Ikeja, Lagos state, “with the capacity to produce over 400 different products.”
He requested land in Enugu to establish a similar facility with the same production capacity, saying “the initiative is aimed at promoting industrialisation, reducing dependence on imports and preparing Nigerians for opportunities in the fourth industrial revolution.”
The ITF Chief also reaffirmed the Fund’s readiness to enter into Public-Private Partnerships to transform Nigeria’s artisanal ecosystem.
“Digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics and computer-aided manufacturing, are rapidly transforming the global economy, making it imperative for Nigeria to deliberately invest in upskilling its workforce to remain globally competitive,” he said.
The ITF delegation subsequently toured facilities at one of the Smart Schools established by the state government.
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