The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening technical skills development and equipping Nigerians with relevant competencies to enhance their participation in the country’s industrial, maritime and oil and gas sectors.

The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, stated this at the weekend during the graduation ceremony of the second cohort of trainees of the Centre for Marine and Offshore Technology Development (CMOTD), Rivers State University.

Represented by the Assistant Manager, Property and Investment, NCDMB, Ilu Ozekhome, Ogbe said the board had continued to support the development of a competent and globally competitive Nigerian workforce through strategic partnerships and targeted interventions.

He expressed delight that the trainees had begun applying the knowledge acquired during their six months of intensive training to practical projects, including transformer reconstruction and the development of a mobile boarding platform.

Ogbe commended the graduands for not merely obtaining certificates but demonstrating the practical value of their training, urging them to continue applying their skills to solve problems and create value.

He congratulated the graduands, describing the completion of the programme as both a personal milestone and an important step towards developing the technical workforce required to support Nigeria’s industrial and maritime sectors.

He also commended the management of CMOTD and its partners for their commitment to practical, industry-focused training and the management of Rivers State University for providing the platform and enabling environment for the programme.

The NCDMB boss urged the graduands to continue learning, remain disciplined and apply their knowledge responsibly, stressing that the real value of the training would be demonstrated through their ability to create solutions, contribute to industry and add value to Nigeria.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of CMOTD, Engr. Vitalis Ahiakwo, described the centre as a hub of innovation, applied excellence and technological development, with a mandate to bridge the gap between academia and industry.

Ahiakwo said the centre was focused on converting research and knowledge into practical, industry-ready competencies capable of supporting the marine, offshore and energy sectors.

According to him, developing the human capital required to drive Nigeria’s blue economy remains a national imperative, adding that the graduands had acquired specialised expertise, problem-solving discipline and a forward-looking mindset needed in the marine, offshore, energy and technology sectors.

He urged the graduates to regard their diplomas as a foundation for continued professional development in a world increasingly shaped by innovation, data and automation.

A programme brief presented by the Head of Research and Development and Training Coordinator, Dr. Elakpa Augustine, showed that the 24-week programme covered practical ship design and construction, circular economy design, mechanical piping and pressure vessel design, big data analytics, oil well optimisation, transformer repair and maintenance, as well as international-class welding, fabrication and qualification.

Ahiakwo challenged the graduands to become change agents by applying what they had learnt, sharing their knowledge with colleagues and maintaining high standards of professional integrity.

He also advised them not to sign off on work they had not verified, while urging them to remain committed to continuous learning and stay connected as ambassadors of CMOTD.

He said the graduates’ success would ultimately serve as a measure of the value of the investment made in their training and their contribution to the development of Nigeria’s marine, offshore, energy and industrial sectors.