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The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has highlighted the essential need for Nigerian welders to undergo rigorous training and secure ISO certification to significantly enhance the country’s manpower for overall socioeconomic growth.

Mr. Nnaji made this assertion during the signing of a crucial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), academia, private sector, and industry players, aimed at facilitating vocational skills certification. The event took place in Abuja on Thursday.

The acquisition of ISO certification implies that a management system, manufacturing process, service, or documentation procedure meets all the necessary requirements for standardization and quality assurance. This is a critical aspect of ensuring the competence and global competitiveness of Nigerian welders.

The Minister announced the Federal Government’s plan, through the Nigeria Welding Institute, to establish training centers across the six geopolitical zones in the country. These centers will be pivotal in providing comprehensive training for welders and subsequently issuing them with ISO certificates.

Expressing regret over the dearth of certified artisans and skilled manpower in the country, Mr. Nnaji emphasized that the ISO certification would empower Nigerian welders to secure gainful and professional employment opportunities both locally and internationally.

“NACETEM has kick-started the magic by collaborating with the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMinna), the private sector, and industry players to develop skills that deal with technology,” he affirmed.

Furthermore, the Minister highlighted the MoU between NACETEM, academia, and the private sector as a remarkable milestone that will streamline the process of recruiting skillful and technologically-inclined Nigerians.

In his earlier remarks, Dr. Olushola Odusanya, the Director General of NACETEM, pointed out that while Nigerian universities issue degree certificates, the agency’s mandate also includes skills development and certification. He stressed that the partnership with Federal University of Technology, Minna, Commit Technology, and Nero Logistics would bolster postgraduate studies, vocational training, and ICT certification in Nigeria.

“NACETEM has designed a finishing school to train middle and high-level manpower in the realization of our mandate in the job market. 70 per cent of employed individuals are professionally trained,” Dr. Odusanya added, highlighting the agency’s commitment to aligning manpower with industry needs.

The Director General revealed that NACETEM has initiated groundbreaking programs such as a Master’s Programme in Nanotechnology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Technology Management. He also disclosed plans to introduce a Master’s Degree in Digital Marketing along with a unique linguistic project, all of which will be hosted at FUTMinna.

Furthermore, NACETEM is in the process of establishing a digital blood donor bank in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research. Dr. Odusanya emphasized that this initiative would not only identify potential blood donors but also expedite the process during critical situations when blood is urgently required.

He hinted that these ongoing efforts are a prelude to the establishment of the NACETEM Academy, which underlines the agency’s dedication to pioneering innovative and impactful initiatives to address the dynamic needs of the Nigerian workforce.
(NAN)