The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the Enugu State Government have agreed to establish a digital fabrication centre to boost innovation, skills development and local manufacturing.

In a statement on Sunday by ITF, the agreement was reached during a courtesy visit by an ITF delegation to Governor Peter Mbah in Enugu.

Mr Mbah described the proposed centre as timely, saying it aligned with his administration’s vision for technology-driven industrial growth and economic transformation.

He said the state aimed to become a leading destination for investment, innovation and advanced technology-driven industrial development.

According to him, the centre will equip youths with technical skills, strengthen local manufacturing and prepare them for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

“Economic prosperity depends on deliberate investments in human capital and emerging technologies,” Mr Mbah said.

He added that the government was creating an enabling environment to encourage innovation, enterprise and sustainable economic growth.

The governor said technical education had been made compulsory within the state’s basic education system.

He stated that the policy placed strong emphasis on digital literacy, robotics, mechatronics and other future-focused disciplines.

 Mr Mbah noted that traditional trades were increasingly influenced by digital technologies, making advanced technical competencies essential for global competitiveness.

 He said the administration built smart schools across the state, equipped with robotics centres, mechatronics laboratories and modern learning facilities.

 “Artificial Intelligence is expected to contribute about 20 trillion dollars to the global economy in the coming years.

“The state must deliberately up-skill its citizens to prepare them for emerging opportunities in the digital economy,” Mr Mbah said.

He noted that the proposed centre would strengthen the state’s knowledge-based economy, foster innovation and create employment opportunities for young people.

Earlier, ITF Director-General, Dr Afiz Ogun, said President Bola Tinubu tasked him with upgrading Nigerian artisans to international standards.

Mr Ogun said the fund subsequently repositioned its technical and vocational skills programmes through strategic interventions, including the Skill-Up Artisans Programme.

He explained that the SUPA initiative was designed to train, certify and license Nigerian artisans to meet global standards.

“ITF had established a Digital Fabrication Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, with capacity to produce more than 400 different products,” he said.

Mr Ogun added that he requested land from the Enugu State Government to establish a similar centre in the state.

He said the facility would promote industrialisation, reduce dependence on imports and prepare Nigerians for opportunities in emerging technologies.

The director-general reaffirmed the fund’s commitment to pursuing public-private partnerships capable of transforming Nigeria’s artisanal ecosystem.

Mr Ogun noted that artificial intelligence, robotics and computer-aided manufacturing were rapidly reshaping industries and economies worldwide.

He stressed the need for deliberate investment in workforce development to ensure Nigeria remained competitive in the global economy.

The ITF delegation later toured facilities at one of the smart schools established by the Enugu State Government. 

(NAN)