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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Thirty-nine skilled artisans from Benue State have left Nigeria for Belarus under the National Directorate of Employment’s (NDE) International Job Placement Programme  a federal initiative promoting safe and structured labour migration.

The workers will take up roles in Belarus’s construction sector as part of efforts to create decent jobs and curb irregular migration.

At a pre-departure ceremony in Abuja, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, said the programme shows that Nigerian talent is globally competitive. She praised the partnership between the Ministry, Benue State Government, NDE, and Enhanced Entrepreneurs Belarus Nig. Co. Ltd., calling it a model for collaborative development.

Onyejeocha urged the beneficiaries to honour their contracts and represent Nigeria with dignity, noting that the scheme offers a safer alternative to irregular migration routes.

NDE’s Director of Special Public Works, Afraimu Agara, said the partnership, which began in 2019, has opened global job opportunities for Nigerian artisans. He added that the initiative will also promote skills and technology transfer as participants gain exposure to international standards.

Agara expressed confidence that the artisans would serve as worthy ambassadors of Benue State and Nigeria in Belarus.

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A new empowerment programme aimed at equipping young women with practical skills in the construction sector has been launched by the Ogun State Government in collaboration with Lafarge.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, disclosed that applications are now open for the 2025 Female Tilers and Block-Laying Training Programme, which will officially commence in September at the Women Development Centre, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta. The intensive programme will run for eight weeks.

Adeleye described the initiative as a bold step toward breaking gender barriers in non-traditional trades. She explained that beyond offering hands-on training, the scheme also seeks to connect participants to employment opportunities and foster stronger collaboration with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) within the construction sector.

The training, which is completely free, is open to female applicants aged 18 to 30, who are residents of Ogun State and possess at least an SSCE qualification. Applications will be accepted from 27 August to 8 September 2025, after which shortlisted candidates will be enrolled for the full-time training.

“This programme is not only about skill acquisition; it is about opening doors of opportunity, strengthening women’s economic independence, and shaping a more inclusive future for our state,” Adeleye said. She added that the government remains grateful to Lafarge for its role in making the project a reality.

The Commissioner urged young women to take advantage of the opportunity while calling on community leaders, civil society groups, and stakeholders to help spread awareness. According to her, the Ministry will intensify campaigns to mobilize qualified applicants across Ogun State.

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The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) are set to deepen collaboration aimed at expanding vocational training, strengthening technical capacity, and providing housing solutions for Nigerian workers.

NABTEB Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Aminu Mohammed, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday by Mr. Uchechukwu Olisah, Assistant Director of Media and Protocol, from the board’s Benin office.

According to Dr. Mohammed, the agreement was reached during a courtesy visit by FMBN Chairman, Alhaji Nasir Gawuna, to NABTEB’s annex office in Abuja. He described the meeting as “a great development,” highlighting it as part of a broader push for inter-agency cooperation to align technical education with Nigeria’s socio-economic development agenda.

“NABTEB will continue to play a central role in the certification and promotion of technical and vocational education in the country,” Dr. Mohammed said, adding that the board’s efforts are geared towards building a skilled workforce and driving national productivity.

He commended Alhaji Gawuna a veteran public administrator and former Deputy Governor of Kano State for his track record in spearheading developmental initiatives both at state and federal levels.

In his remarks, Gawuna praised NABTEB for its steadfast promotion of vocational and technical skills nationwide, stressing the need for stronger partnerships between financial and educational institutions to combat unemployment while providing affordable housing for workers.

The initiative signals a growing recognition that bridging skills development with accessible housing is vital for sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.

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