Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has stated that the country will train qualified craftsmen with certifications to do professional jobs in the country and even outside of Nigeria.
He stated that the measure is vital to save the billions of dollars spent by Nigeria on the importation of skilled artisans.
The minister spoke during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding MoU between the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) and its technical partners in academia and industry in Abuja.
Nnaji stated that the Ministry’s already established Technology and Innovation centers across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones will, among other things, accommodate the training of welders to obtain the International Welding Certification to meet international standards.
“We are lacking in skilled artisans, looking at the Dangote Refinery. Dangote Refinery employed about 11000 artisans welders to say but none of those welders came from Nigeria. They were all imported. For a job as small as welding we have millions of welders in Nigeria but none of them has ISO certification. A welder is paid about 150 dollars a day. Multiply it by how many Dangote imported into this country for his job,” he said
He stated that the Ministry is already working with the Nigerian Welding Institute to train and certify welders to work not only in Nigeria but also outside the country.
