About twenty-seven Nigerian youths have been selected to receive skills training in electrical engineering in Poland and Denmark.
This training is part of the Nigerian Youth Skills Empowerment (NYSE II) program, a collaboration between the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and ERYK Group, a Polish technical service provider.
During the presentation of the apprentices in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the NBTE stated that the training would help candidates who hold National Diplomas in Electrical Electronics obtain European skills certification as electricians.
Professor Bugaje highlighted that the program aligns with the federal government’s efforts to enhance technical education and equip Nigerians for global competitiveness. He explained that it would improve the practice standards in electrical engineering in the country.
The Executive Secretary also noted that the program aims to tackle the longstanding apathy toward technical and vocational education.
“This will change the narrative. Today, people are not just seeking degrees; they are looking for skills. Because of this, there is hope for Nigerian polytechnics. Soon, the admission rates will favour polytechnics, as they provide opportunities beyond Nigeria’s borders to apply skills in industry and earn good salaries,” he said.
He revealed that the board aims to train 1,000 Nigerian apprentices over the next ten years under the NYSE II program and urged polytechnics to produce well-trained electrical engineering technicians with the newly reviewed curriculum to benefit more students.
The Minister of Education, Dr. OlaTunji Alausa, praised the company for its contribution to reducing unemployment in the country and emphasised Nigeria’s openness to collaborations that promote youth empowerment and skill development.
Dr. Alausa, represented by his Senior Special Adviser, Dr. Ismaila Adiatu, encouraged the apprentices to remain committed and to serve as good ambassadors for the country.
“To the graduates benefiting from this initiative, I urge you to seize this opportunity. Your journey reflects your hard work and is also a call to duty.”
For his part, the President of the ERYK Group, Jens-Christian Moller, stated that this initiative not only addresses the skills gap in Nigeria but also aims to reduce illegal migration.
Mr. Moller praised the resilience and dedication of Nigerian youths and pledged ongoing support for the initiative.
A few years ago, the NBTE signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the ERYK Group to facilitate technology transfer from Europe to Nigeria through skills development.
The program enables candidates to acquire skills aligned with global standards at the company’s branches in Poland and Denmark, allowing them to work legally in these countries or return home to contribute to Nigeria’s technological advancement.
RN
