The Enugu State Government has allocated land in the state capital for the establishment of a Digital Fabrication Centre by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) as part of efforts to strengthen technical skills, innovation and local manufacturing.

Governor Peter Mbah approved the allocation following a visit by a delegation from the ITF to the Enugu Government House. He described the proposed centre as part of his administration’s strategy to position the state as a destination for investment, technology and industrial development.

Mbah said the growing influence of digital technologies on traditional industries makes it necessary to equip young people with technical skills that can prepare them for the future of work.

He noted that Enugu has already incorporated technical education into its basic education system, with areas such as digital literacy, robotics and mechatronics receiving greater attention.

The governor also said the state has established smart schools equipped with robotics centres, mechatronics laboratories and other modern learning facilities.

According to him, the proposed ITF centre will complement these efforts by strengthening technical training, encouraging innovation, supporting local manufacturing and creating employment opportunities for young people.

ITF Targets Internationally Competitive Artisans

The Director-General of the ITF, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, said the organisation is working to improve the skills of Nigerian artisans and bring them closer to international standards.

He pointed to the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) Programme, which is designed to train, certify and licence artisans while improving the quality of technical services available in the country.

Ogun said the ITF had already established a Digital Fabrication Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, with the capacity to produce more than 400 different products.

The Fund is seeking to establish a similar facility in Enugu, with comparable production capacity.

Centre to Support Local Manufacturing

The proposed facility is expected to combine digital technologies with manufacturing and technical training.

The ITF said the initiative is intended to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported products while preparing workers for opportunities created by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and computer-aided manufacturing are increasingly changing how products are designed, developed and manufactured.

The ITF believes that developing these capabilities locally could help Nigerian artisans and young people compete in a more technology-driven economy.

Ogun also expressed the Fund’s willingness to work with private-sector organisations through public-private partnerships (PPPs) to expand opportunities within Nigeria’s artisanal and technical workforce.

The ITF delegation subsequently visited one of Enugu State’s smart schools to assess some of the facilities already being developed by the state.

The planned Digital Fabrication Centre therefore represents more than another skills-training facility. If properly implemented, it could strengthen the connection between technical education, digital manufacturing, entrepreneurship and employment in Enugu.

For Nigeria, the bigger challenge will be ensuring that investments in technical infrastructure translate into practical skills, locally produced goods and sustainable employment rather than remaining isolated projects.

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The European Union (EU) and Nigeria are enhancing collaboration in Artificial Intelligence (AI) research and innovation to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical technological solutions.

Speaking at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) International Week, Massimo De Luca, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said both sides are finalizing a Science, Technology and Innovation Agreement to formalize cooperation between researchers, universities, and enterprises.

According to De Luca, the agreement will promote responsible AI applications that tackle societal challenges, improve productivity, and create inclusive opportunities. He also pointed to the Generative AI for Africa call for proposals, which closes on October 31, as an example of ongoing EU-funded initiatives encouraging cross-continental collaboration.

He added that the EU is working closely with Nigerian institutions, including the National Universities Commission, to boost local research capacity and global competitiveness.

UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, commended the partnership, describing it as a model for equitable collaboration that benefits both regions. “Our researchers gain exposure to global networks and knowledge systems, driving innovation and institutional growth,” she said.

With the theme “Equitable Partnership and the Future of AI in Africa,” the dialogue highlighted the importance of fairness, ethics, and shared knowledge in shaping Africa’s AI future. Both the EU and Nigeria reaffirmed their commitment to building inclusive and human-centred innovation ecosystems.

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The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has partnered with OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, to launch Africa’s first OpenAI Academy, a major step in equipping students, researchers, and innovators with real-world artificial intelligence (AI) skills designed for African contexts.

Announced during the university’s 5th International Week themed “Equitable Partnerships and the Future of AI in Africa”, the partnership highlights UNILAG’s growing role in technology and innovation on the continent.

Speaking at the opening, UNILAG Vice-Chancellor Prof. Folasade Ogunsola said AI presents Africa with an opportunity to “leapfrog systemic challenges” and deliver context-specific solutions.

“This isn’t just about learning technology, it’s about shaping it to serve our people,” she said.

OpenAI’s Africa Lead, Emmanuel Lubanzadio, said the academy will train students, educators, and entrepreneurs in AI tools, including ChatGPT, focusing on sectors like education, governance, and creative industries.

“UNILAG is a model for how AI can be localized. This academy will empower students and serve as a blueprint for Africa,” he noted.

The event also featured Bank of America’s Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, Yvonne Ike, who urged African institutions to move faster in preparing youth for a world increasingly driven by AI.

“Africa must lead and define its digital future not wait for others to do so,” she said.

A panel session titled “AI and the Future of African Cities” explored how AI can solve urban and governance challenges. Speakers included experts from the University of Manchester, Future Africa, and UNILAG student innovators.

UNILAG’s international strategy, according to Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Foluso Lesi, focuses on co-creating solutions that work locally and scale globally.

The university has secured over $28 million in international research funding and continues to form partnerships grounded in equity, mutual value, and innovation.

The academy, hosted at UNILAG’s Innovation and Technology Management Office, is set to deliver hands-on AI training through workshops and labs throughout the week. It will focus on applying AI in education, journalism, public service, and the creative economy.

Representatives from Nigeria’s Ministries of Education and Communications, as well as Lagos State Government, commended UNILAG for positioning itself as a leader in Africa’s digital transformation.

“When young Africans are given tools like AI, they don’t just follow trends — they lead change,” said Dr. Olayinka Adewumi, the academy’s coordinator.

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