NCDMB promotes technical education, donates vocational centre to UI

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has handed over the University of Ibadan Vocational School which it constructed in line with its mandate and, 10-year strategic roadmap.

Handing over the facility to the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Simbi Wabote, described the completion and handing over of the facility as an important milestone in content development, stressing that the strength of Nigeria’s economy and prosperity lies in the hands of craftsmen, artisans and gifted workmen.

He hinted that the University of Ibadan is situated in the Oyo Central Senatorial zone, which is represented by Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin, who serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content and had supported the activities of the board immensely.

He said the vocational school is expected to produce top-rated craftsmen, artisans and gifted workmen, who would help change the narrative of dependence on imported goods and equipment to full reliance on Nigerian-made products.

The NCDMB boss challenged the centre to kickstart the much-needed Nigerian industrial revolution. He added: “With the rapid advancement of technologies and skills required now, the energy transition and future of the oil and gas industry, as well as the call for help from African countries, for Nigeria to support their nascent oil and gas industry with its established technical capabilities, the commissioning of this vocational school is a clarion call to the University of Ibadan to lead in the establishment of the Nigerian competitive advantage once again.”

The scope of work at the centre included construction of the main building consisting of three workshops and three classrooms, each for mechanical, electrical welding and fabrication trades, as well as offices for the centre’s director, admin staff and receptionist desk.

Wabote advised the university community and stakeholders to ensure adequate maintenance of installed facilities, support in the sustainability, appointment of high-quality personnel so that the huge investment will be justified, and the benefit will be maximised in the best interest of generations of youths from the area and beyond.

The University of Ibadan Vocational School is the third vocational school the board would be developing. In his remarks, Folarin expressed delight that he facilitated the establishment of the multi-billion-naira hi-tech skills acquisition centre.

He indicated that the facility was designed and constructed as a one-stop platform to train multitudes of Oyo State citizens in different skills across oil and gas and other sectors of the economy.