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 Industrial Training Fund has partnered with the Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria to train and upskill 100,000 artisans across Nigeria’s construction sector.

The nationwide programme, which will be implemented in phases, is designed to equip artisans with practical skills in masonry, carpentry and joinery, tiling, electrical installation, Plaster of Paris (PoP), and plumbing.

According to a statement by the ITF’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Thomas Ngor, the initiative will be officially launched on April 21, 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites.

The event is expected to attract key stakeholders from government and the private sector, including the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, and the Minister of State for Industry, John Owan Enoh.

Top industry players billed to attend include Aliko Dangote, who also serves as President of CTIN, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and the Group Managing Director of Lafarge Africa, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi.

Speaking ahead of the launch, the Director-General of ITF, Afiz Ogun, described the partnership as a strategic intervention to bridge the skills gap in Nigeria’s construction industry.

He noted that the initiative comes at a critical time when cases of building collapse continue to raise concerns nationwide, often linked to poor workmanship, inadequate training, and substandard construction practices.

According to him, the collaboration between ITF and CTIN will help address these challenges by equipping artisans with industry-relevant technical skills and promoting adherence to standard construction practices.

The programme will also strengthen the ITF’s Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) initiative by introducing enhanced training modules, exposure to modern construction techniques, and access to best practices in cement application and structural integrity.

Ogun added that the initiative would improve employability and earning potential for artisans, while also increasing their credibility within the construction value chain.

He further explained that participants would benefit from certification and continuous professional development, ensuring they remain competitive in an evolving industry.

Industry stakeholders believe the programme could significantly improve construction standards, reduce building failures, and boost confidence in Nigeria’s real estate sector.

The ITF maintained that the partnership aligns with its broader mandate to drive skills development, enhance productivity, and support national economic growth.

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