The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has pledged to strengthen technical skills development for Nigerians.
The board says the effort will help build a skilled workforce for Nigeria’s oil and gas, maritime, energy and industrial sectors.
NCDMB Executive Secretary, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, made the commitment during the graduation of the second batch of trainees at the Centre for Marine and Offshore Technology Development, Rivers State University.
Ogbe, represented at the event by NCDMB Assistant Manager, Property and Investment, Ilu Ozekhome, said the board would continue to support skills development through strategic partnerships and targeted programmes.
He also commended the trainees for completing the programme and applying their knowledge to practical projects.
Some of the graduates worked on projects involving transformer reconstruction and the development of a mobile boarding platform.
Ogbe urged the graduates to look beyond their certificates and use their skills to solve problems and create value.
He said their training would help strengthen Nigeria’s technical workforce and support growth in the industrial and maritime sectors.
The Chief Executive Officer of CMOTD, Vitalis Ahiakwo, described the centre as a hub for innovation, practical training and professional development.
He said the centre aims to bridge the gap between what students learn in school and what industries need.
According to Ahiakwo, CMOTD focuses on turning technical knowledge and research into practical skills for the marine, offshore and energy sectors.
He also highlighted the importance of skilled workers to Nigeria’s growing blue economy.
The training lasted 24 weeks and covered several specialised areas.
These included ship design and construction, circular economy design, mechanical piping and pressure vessel design.
Trainees also received training in big data analytics, oil well optimisation, transformer repair and maintenance, welding and fabrication.
The programme also included professional qualifications designed to improve the trainees’ career prospects.
Ahiakwo urged the graduates to continue learning after completing the programme.
He said their diplomas should serve as a starting point for further professional development.
He also advised them to maintain high professional standards and carefully verify their work before signing off on projects.
In addition, he encouraged the graduates to share their knowledge and help develop Nigeria’s technical workforce.
Nigeria needs a skilled workforce to support growth across its energy, maritime and industrial sectors.
Therefore, programmes that combine classroom knowledge with practical training can help prepare workers for industry demands.
The NCDMB says it will continue to support initiatives that equip Nigerians with relevant technical skills.
For the graduates, the next challenge is to turn their new skills into practical solutions, employment opportunities and value for the Nigerian economy.
