Gov Mbah Donates Land For ITF’s Digital Fabrication Centre

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has approved the allocation of a parcel of land in the state capital for the establishment of a state-of-the-art Digital Fabrication Centre by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).

ITF, in a statement issued in Jos by the director, Press and Public Relations, Mr Thomas Ngor, said Governor Mbah announced this while receiving a delegation from the Industrial Training Fund on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Enugu.

Governor Mbah described the proposed project as timely and aligned with his administration’s vision of transforming Enugu into a leading destination for investment, innovation and technology-driven industrial development.

He noted that the future of economic prosperity lies in deliberate investments in human capital and emerging technologies, adding that the state has continued to create an enabling environment for innovation, enterprise and sustainable growth.

The governor explained that his 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 work.

According to him, 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.

Governor Mbah further disclosed that his administration 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. He noted that artificial intelligence is expected to contribute about $20 trillion to the global economy in the coming years.

He therefore stressed that the state must be intentional about upskilling its citizens, adding that 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.

Earlier, the director-general of ITF, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, who led the delegation, said that upon his appointment by President Bola Tinubu, he was mandated to upskill Nigerian artisans to international standards.

He explained that the Fund subsequently 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 disclosed that the Fund had already established a Digital Fabrication Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, with the capacity to produce over 400 different products. He therefore requested the allocation of land in Enugu State to establish a similar centre with the same production capacity.

According to him, the initiative is aimed at promoting industrialisation, reducing dependence on imports and preparing Nigerians for opportunities in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. He also reaffirmed the Fund’s readiness to enter into Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) that will transform Nigeria’s artisanal ecosystem.

Dr Ogun further noted that digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics and computer-aided manufacturing, are rapidly transforming the global economy, making it imperative for Nigeria to deliberately invest in upskilling its workforce to remain globally competitive.

The ITF delegation was later conducted on a tour of facilities at one of the Smart Schools established by the Enugu State Government.