President Bola Tinubu’s unstinting commitment to industrialisation, human capital development and youth empowerment as an antidote to joblessness is beyond doubts. This was evident as the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), an agency under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment constructed an ultramodern, world-class Automotive Training Centre located on the Ikorodu Campus of Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH). The facility would not only serve as a training institute primarily for students,but deepen the industry- academia synergy and boost economic growth. THANKGOD WEKPA (LASUSTECH) reports.
The newly-inaugurated ultramodern, world-class Automotive Training Centre located on the Ikorodu Campus of Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) is a timely reminder of the Federal Government’s drive towards the growth of the automotive sector, a key part of the nation’s industrialisation blueprint.
With the facility in an institution of higher learning such as LASUSTECH, the government aligned with global best practices, given the fact that centres of learning also translate to centres of innovation, especially in technology which is a key component of the facility.
During the inauguration, the Minister of State for Industry, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Owan Enoh, noted that the facility signaled a new chapter in the nation’s industrial journey as it aims at providing and grooming locally, the human element which is critical to driving the local automotive industry for self sustenance, thus, balancing out the challenge of mismatch between industry and the available skills and manpower it requires.
“Opening up the building also means opening up a new chapter in the nation’s industrialisation journey. It is the demonstration of the practical expression of the Federal Government’s automotive policy which in itself, is a part of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan.
“Among other key objectives, the plan seeks to accomplish the boosting of local production of Made-in-Nigeria vehicles, achieving about 40 per cent of local content in the automotive industry; generating over a million new jobs whilst reducing our dependence on imports.
“You will agree with me, that an industrial policy without infrastructure remains an aspiration, so what we’re doing today, is to match policies and words with actions and to ensure that capacity building, skills transfer and technology diffusions are not just concepts but realities that touch the lives of our people,” he said.
He expressed confidence that with the level of equipment of the facility, the full value of the unity between the industry and the academia, as well as the expectations from the facility, would be be fully realised primarily for LASUSTECH students who are the immediate beneficiaries, the Ikorodu people and then the nation at large.
He added that the establishment of the centre, underscored President Bola Tinubu’s unshakable commitment to human capital development as a foundation of economic transformation, commitment to technology transfer and adaptation as base for global competitiveness, and commitment to youth empowerment as an antidote to joblessness.
He disclosed further, that about 21 similar facilities are being made available nationwide with the same mandates of training technicians in the manufacture and maintenance of vehicles and spare parts to bridge the gap between industry and competent skills needed to drive them, reiterating that “when a country gets its automotive industry right, it gets its industrialisation right.”
A timely intervention, says Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu noted that the automotive industry remains the bedrock of the economic development of any nation, describing it as the greatest engine of industrial development of any country.
Represented by the Executive Secretary Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB),Mrs Moronke Azeez, Sanwo-Olu stated that the rise in global demand for automotive products and services reinforces the need to strengthen local industries to contain the growing challenge.
He said: “The commissioning of NADDC’s Automotive Training Centre, couldn’t have come at a better time.
“It is important to note, that this project will not only enhance the skills of youths and technicians in the state, but also contribute to the growth of the automotive industry of Lagos State in particular, and Nigeria at large.
“This centre is fortified with state-of-the-art equipment and tools for training and skills development activities. Students will learn using the same diagnostic tools, same service protocols and the same safety systems that modern workshops deploy around the world.
“In addition, this centre was established around three pillars, skills that match industry needs; standards that protect the public and opportunities that create jobs.
“I thank the leadership of the NADDC for partnering with Lagos State to site this centre in Ikorodu, a place of industrialness, resilience and community.”
He thanked the Federal Ministry of State for Industry and the NADDC management for the laudable project. He also thanked LASUSTECH for accommodating the project, reassuring the state government’s continuous partnership towards achieving the objectives of the NADDC initiatives.
“May this facility train technicians, empower entrepreneurs and safeguard our roads for generations to come,” he added.
A centre for capacity development – NADDC DG
In his address, the Director- General and Chief Executive Officer of NADDC, Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin described the event as epoch making as it marked another milestone in agency’s efforts toward building and strengthening of capacity in the auto sector of the country, especially as it was with a view to enhancing skills acquisition and manpower development.
“This centre is a testament to our commitment to developing the Nigerian automotive industry. Our vision is to position the country as one of the leading automotive manufacturing nations in the world, and we’re committed to achieving this.
“NADDC Automotive Training Centre will provide training and skills development programmes for automotive technicians, artisans and engineers. This will enhance their capabilities in improving the quality of service and increase local content of assembled vehicles in Nigeria.
“We have successfully completed the training of 47 students on PMS – CNG conversion last week. They’re all seated here, and will soon receive their certificates in the presence of the Minister and the the Lagos State Governor. We’re also set to organise a training programme on two and three-wheeler maintenance across the nation,” Joseph declared.
Reiterating the council’s mandate which centres around ensuring sustainable development of the automotive industry in Nigeria using local human and material resources, he explained that such mandate cannot be achieved without having the capacity and required skills which incidentally, the training centre seeks to address.
To that end, he reaffirmed the minister’s earlier claims, maintaining that the council was already constructing 21 training centres across the six geo-political zones of the country, with 16 already fully equipped, adding that the one in Lagos which is hosted in LASUSTECH, marked the third to be inaugurated with a burning desire of the majority being launched before year end.
He further revealed that LASUSTECH was chosen as the host for the facility in Lagos because of its strong reputation in the development of her students in technical and vocational skills, adding that siting the training centre in the institution was to collaborate, support and boost its efforts toward that entrepreneurial drive.
While thanking the state government for providing the support needed to bring the project to fruition, he noted that the execution of the facility was one of the success stories of the Tinubu-led Federal Government, maintaining that it would not only provide jobs for the youths, but also enhance skills among the students whilst also providing needed industrial infrastructure in the state.
Students, varsity community to benefit,says VC
The Vice Chancellor of LASUSTECH, Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya described the event as “another giant step in the nation’s quest for technological advancement and industrial growth,”.
He noted that NADDC’s choice of LASUSTECH as one of its locations across the country, was a step in the right direction as the university was already doing a lot in the technology sector, especially in design and development of automobiles, driven by its IMPACT agenda.
Speaking on the IMPACT agenda, Odusanya explained that it serves as the roadmap towards positioning the university as a highly competitive, much sought after, globally acclaimed and world class university.
He said the agenda focuses on six key areas of Infrastructural development, Manpower building, Productivity and prosperity of the university community, A strong university culture of excellence, Catalyst to the Lagos State agenda, and Town and gown relationship with an entrepreneurial orientation.
He explained that the automotive centre aligns with the university’s ‘T’ arm of the IMPACT agenda which focuses on Town and Gown relationship, stressing that the centre would be a convergence of the industry and academia.
Among other purposes, he noted that the facility would serve as a training institute primarily for students, a place for concept, design, prototyping and commercialisation of automotive products and services, thus, enhancing the nation’s transport sector to boost commerce and economic growth.
Expressing gratitude to the Federal Government for the initiative, the VC noted that the centre has the potential for providing employment opportunities for the university graduates and the nation at large. He pledged optimum usage of the facility in close partnership and collaboration with NADDC.
A move towards automotive self-sufficiency
On his part, the Chairman of NADDC Governing Board, Chief Emma Eneukwu, described the event as a historic occasion, noting that it transcends beyond a mere building to portray a beacon of opportunity, a platform for innovation and a gift to future generations.
He stated that it was an embodiment of the promise of a Nigeria where knowledge meets industry, and the youths equipped to drive progress beyond national borders.
“We’re gathered here to celebrate a vision – the vision of building indigenous capacity, reducing dependence on imports and fostering a generation of engineers, technicians and innovators who would transform our economy through automotive technology.
“As we commission this facility today, let it stand as symbol of renewed hope of our collective determination to place Nigeria on the global map of excellence by making sure that we patronise and depend most importantly, on Made-in-Nigeria automotive vehicles,” he said.
