Tech Management Centre To Train 1m Nigerians In Critical Skills

The director-general/chief executive of the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), Dr Olushola Odusanya, has announced that the organisation will train one million Nigerians in critical skills for socio-economic development over the next five years.

In an interactive session in Abuja on Wednesday, he said the initiative is designed to equip young people with the competencies needed to thrive in an increasingly knowledge-driven economy.

Odusanya, who announced major reforms to transform the agency into a leading force in Nigeria’s science, technology and innovation (STI) space, said the training would specifically focus on technology management, innovation systems and entrepreneurship.

According to him, Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable development without deliberately investing in human capital and strengthening its capacity for research, innovation and technology deployment.

“Our goal is to build a critical mass of skilled Nigerians who can drive productivity, support industrial growth and contribute meaningfully to national competitiveness,” he said.

He said another flagship initiative of the centre is its Welders’ Training and Certification Programme, designed to address the acute shortage of certified technical professionals in the country. He explained that welding remains a critical skill across key sectors, including construction, oil and gas, manufacturing, and infrastructure development. Yet, many artisans lack formal certification that meets global industry standards.

The NACETEM boss said the agency aimed not only to upgrade the technical competence of local welders but also to enhance their employability both within Nigeria and internationally.

He added that by scaling up welding certification, the Centre hopes to support ongoing national infrastructure projects, reduce dependence on foreign technical labour and create new income opportunities for thousands of skilled artisans across the country.

“Partnerships to train and certify welders — including underwater welding — to meet high-demand needs in oil, gas, and marine sectors. This targets human capital development, industrial competitiveness, and technology transfer, reducing reliance on expatriate expertise,” he said.