Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has announced plans to train skilled artisans in the country, equipping them with internationally-recognized certificates to carry out professional duties both domestically and abroad. This initiative is aimed at curbing the massive capital flight resulting from Nigeria’s significant expenditure on importing skilled artisans.
Speaking in Abuja, the nation’s capital, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Center for Technology Management (NACETEM), its technical partners in academia, and industry, Minister Nnaji highlighted the urgent need to address the shortage of skilled artisans in the country.
The Ministry has already taken proactive steps by establishing Technology and Innovation centers across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. These centers, among other objectives, will facilitate the training of welders to obtain the International Welding Certification (ISO) in order to meet global standards.
“We are lacking in skilled artisans, looking at the Dangote Refinery. Dangote Refinery employed about 11,000 welders, none of whom were from Nigeria. They were all imported. A job as essential as welding, which has millions of practitioners in Nigeria, does not have ISO certification. A welder earns about $150 a day. When we multiply this by the number of welders imported by Dangote, the impact of this capital flight becomes evident,” Minister Nnaji emphasized.
He further revealed that the Ministry is collaborating with the Nigerian Welding Institute to train and certify welders, enabling them to work not only within Nigeria but also globally.
“I am delighted that NACETEM has already initiated collaborations with the Federal University of Technology Minna, Commit Technology and Consult Ltd, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming Ltd to develop technological skills and issue internationally-recognized certifications. This way, we can have technologically-inclined individuals working and earning salaries in foreign currency right here in Nigeria,” he added.
Dr. Olushola Odusanya, the Director General of NACETEM, emphasized the institution’s commitment to providing high-level manpower training. He highlighted that NACETEM’s academy acts as a reservoir for nurturing skilled individuals capable of achieving tangible results.
“In the job market, 70% of employed individuals have vocational training, and we are addressing the potential challenge of transitioning from physical manpower training to other advanced systems,” Dr. Odusanya stated.
Adding to the discourse, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Minna (FUT), stressed the university’s specialized focus on knowledge activation and technological skills geared towards public consumption.
“The University, which has a specialized product-driven approach, aligns with our core mission to activate technology and scientific skills. For over forty years, we have remained committed to producing tangible outcomes, and this partnership underscores our dedication,” Prof. Kuta remarked.
The MoU, signed between the National Center for Technology Management (NACETEM), Federal University of Technology Minna (FUT), Neuro-Linguistic Programming Ltd, Commit Technology & Consult, and the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), marks a significant step towards developing a pool of certified skilled artisans in Nigeria.
