Enugu State Government and the Industrial Training Fund have partnered together, to establish a State of Art World Class AI enabled Digital Fabrication Centre in Enugu State Nigeria.
This comes as Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has approved the allocation of a deluxe parcel of land for the establishment of the State-of-Art Digital Fabrication Centre in Enugu, with the aim of making the state a foremost destination for investment, innovation and technology-driven industrial development.
The Executive Governor of Enugu State Dr Peter Mbah announced the approval during a visit by the Director-General, ITF, and his delegation to Enugu, stating that the project aligns with his administration’s unique vision of transforming Enugu into a World renowned Leading destination for economic prosperity, human capital and emerging Technologies.
He said, “The state has continued to create an enabling environment for innovation, enterprise and sustainable growth. Again, my administration has made technical education compulsory in the state’s basic education system, with emphasis on digital literacy, robotics and mechatronics to prepare learners for the future of digitalisation.
“Many traditional trades are now driven by digital technologies, making it imperative to equip young people with relevant technical competencies that will enable them to compete globally and contribute meaningfully to economic development. The state government has built smart schools across the state, equipped with robotics centres, mechatronics laboratories and other modern learning facilities, to prepare youths for the evolving global economy.”
The Governor added that artificial intelligence is expected to contribute about $20 trillion to the global economy in the coming years.
“We have intentionally put measures in place to upskill the citizens. The establishment of the ITF Digital Fabrication Centre will significantly strengthen the state’s drive to build a knowledge-based economy, foster innovation, promote local manufacturing and create employment opportunities for its growing youthful population.”
Also Speaking, the Director-General, ITF, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, said the sole mandate of the Industrial Training Fund ITF, is to upskill Nigerian artisans to international standards, explaining that the Fund has repositioned its technical and vocational skills development efforts through strategic initiatives, including the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) Programme, which is designed to train, certify and licence Nigerian artisans to international standards.
Dr Ogun said the organisation has already established a 400 capacity Digital Fabrication Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, equipped with the ability to produce over 400 different 3D-printed digitally manufactured products.
