Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has approved the allocation of land for the establishment of a Digital Fabrication Centre by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), in a move aimed at strengthening technology-driven skills acquisition and industrial development in the state.
The approval was announced during a courtesy visit to the Government House, Enugu, by a delegation from the ITF led by its Director-General, Afiz Ogun.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Fund's Director of Press and Public Relations, Thomas Ngor, the governor described the proposed centre as a timely initiative that complements his administration's drive to transform Enugu into a leading destination for innovation, investment and technology-based industrialisation.
Mbah said the future of economic growth lies in strategic investments in human capital, innovation and emerging technologies, noting that his government has continued to create an enabling environment for enterprise and sustainable development.
He said technical education has been integrated into the state's basic education curriculum, with special emphasis on digital literacy, robotics and mechatronics to prepare young people for the demands of the modern workplace.
According to the governor, advances in technology have transformed many conventional occupations, making it necessary to equip the younger generation with relevant technical and digital skills that will enable them to compete in the global economy.
Mbah added that his administration has established smart schools across the state, complete with robotics centres, mechatronics laboratories and other modern facilities to nurture innovation among students.
He also pointed to projections that artificial intelligence could contribute about $20 trillion to the global economy in the coming years, stressing that Enugu must deliberately invest in workforce development to remain competitive.
The governor expressed confidence that the proposed Digital Fabrication Centre would strengthen the state's knowledge economy, encourage innovation, promote local manufacturing and generate employment opportunities for its youthful population.
Earlier, ITF Director-General Afiz Ogun said the agency had intensified efforts to upgrade the skills of Nigerian artisans following President Bola Tinubu's directive to reposition technical and vocational education.
He said the Fund's Skill-Up Artisans Programme was designed to train, certify and license artisans in line with international standards, thereby improving their productivity and competitiveness.
Ogun disclosed that ITF had already established a Digital Fabrication Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, capable of producing over 400 different products, and sought the support of the Enugu State Government to replicate the project in the state.
He said the initiative would enhance Nigeria's industrial capacity, reduce dependence on imported goods and prepare the country's workforce for opportunities emerging from the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The ITF Director-General also reaffirmed the agency's commitment to public-private partnerships, saying collaboration with governments and the private sector would be critical to transforming Nigeria's artisanal ecosystem.
He noted that technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and computer-aided manufacturing are redefining production processes globally, making sustained investment in digital skills essential for Nigeria's industrial competitiveness.
Members of the ITF delegation later toured one of the smart schools established by the Enugu State Government, where they inspected facilities dedicated to robotics, mechatronics and other technology-driven learning programmes.
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