FG trains 20,000 technicians in advanced automotive skills

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has trained no fewer than 20,000 technicians across the country in heavy-duty vehicle mechatronics.

Mr Oluwemimo Osanipin, Director-General of NADDC, disclosed this on Friday at the closing ceremony of a two-week NADDC Specialised Mechatronics Training for 50 technicians in Yola.

He explained that the training was conducted in partnership with SkyRock Consulting Limited across six centres, including Yola, Kaduna, Abuja, Calabar, Akure, and Umudike.

“Over the years, numerous vehicular accidents and breakdowns have occurred on our roads, often attributed to inadequate maintenance due to a lack of modern skills among technicians.

“An analysis conducted by the council confirmed a significant skill gap, revealing that many mechanics lacked the expertise needed to effectively service modern vehicles.

“The council, therefore in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, has trained 20,000 technicians through specialised mechatronics programmes for both light and heavy-duty vehicles.

“The initiative aims to bridge the skills gap and enhance the technical knowledge of auto-technicians, thereby creating job opportunities for youths,” Osanipin said.

The D-G emphasised that investing in such specialised training programmes would lay a solid foundation for a vibrant and sustainable industry, driving economic growth and job creation.

He stated that the council had established 21 automotive training centres across the six geopolitical zones of the country to facilitate continuous skill development.

“Sixteen of these centres have been equipped with state-of-the-art tools, in line with global trends,” Osanipin said.

He further noted that the initiative aligned with one of the pillars of the Nigeria Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP), which focuses on strengthening skill development.

Mr Olayinka Akinyola, Chief Executive Officer of SkyRock Consulting Limited, expressed appreciation to the federal government for the initiative.

He stressed the importance of equipping Nigerian technicians with modern skills to meet global industry standards.

“The automobile industry has advanced significantly worldwide, and Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind.

“There was a time when cars used carburettors, then we transitioned to injectors, and now we have vehicles running on CNG, solar, and electricity.

“It is essential for our technicians to acquire the necessary skills to compete in the global automotive industry,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Joseph Tumba, Director of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) in the state, commended the federal government for the training and urged citizens to patronise specialised technicians for vehicle repairs.

A beneficiary of the training, Malam Jamilu Babatete, Chairman of the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA) in Adamawa, expressed gratitude to the government and NADDC.

“The training has been impactful and has significantly improved my working standards. I will continue to upgrade my skills to remain relevant in the industry,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that each of the beneficiaries received a starter pack, a manual, and a cash gift from NADDC.