By Isaac Mission
The Enugu State Government has approved land for the establishment of a Digital Fabrication Centre by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), in a move aimed at strengthening technical education, innovation and employment opportunities in the state.
Governor Peter Mbah gave the approval when he received a delegation from the ITF, led by its Director-General, Afiz Ogun, at the Government House in Enugu.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the ITF Director of Press and Public Relations, Thomas Ngor.
Mbah described the proposed centre as an important step towards advancing Enugu’s ambition of becoming a major destination for technology, innovation and industrial development.
According to the governor, the rapid transformation of the global workplace makes it increasingly important for governments to invest in practical and technology-driven education.
He said his administration had made technical education compulsory within the state’s basic education curriculum, exposing students to areas such as digital literacy, robotics and mechatronics.
The governor also highlighted the establishment of smart schools across the state, noting that the facilities include robotics centres, mechatronics laboratories and other modern learning infrastructure.
Mbah said the changing nature of work requires young people to acquire practical skills that can enable them to compete effectively in the global economy.
He further pointed to the growing economic importance of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, stressing that investment in future-oriented skills was essential to building a knowledge-based economy.
The governor expressed optimism that the ITF Digital Fabrication Centre would complement existing government initiatives by encouraging innovation, supporting local production and creating new opportunities for young people.
ITF plans to replicate Lagos centre in Enugu
Speaking earlier, ITF Director-General Afiz Ogun said the agency was working to improve the skills of Nigerian artisans and bring their training and certification in line with international standards.
Ogun said the ITF had expanded its technical and vocational programmes through initiatives including the Skill-Up Artisans Programme, which provides training, certification and licensing for artisans.
He disclosed that the Fund currently operates a Digital Fabrication Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, with the capacity to manufacture more than 400 different products.
According to him, the ITF intends to establish a similar facility in Enugu to support local manufacturing and reduce the country's dependence on imported products.
Ogun said the proposed centre would also provide Nigerians with access to modern technologies and skills associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He emphasised the importance of artificial intelligence, robotics and computer-aided manufacturing in the transformation of industries, saying continued investment in these areas would improve Nigeria’s competitiveness.
The ITF delegation also visited one of Enugu State’s smart schools, where members inspected facilities dedicated to technology-based education and innovation.
