The news:
The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has revealed plans to create an automotive training centre at the Plateau state polytechnic, Barkin Ladi.
This was revealed by Jelani Aliyu, the Director-General of the agency in an interview with the press; where he disclosed that the new centre would facilitate capacity building on the Plateau and neighbouring states.
Furthermore, he added that a summed up number of 10,000 youths are the target meant to benefit from the training.
What you should know:
Currently, with the outcry for the design, invention and patronage of Made in Nigeria cars, the training by NADDC would create a value chain that would in the coming years, position Plateau state as one of the transport and automotive hubs in Nigeria. Also, the training would allow its participants (mostly students) acquire practical skills in automotive design, repairs and maintenance of modern vehicles.
According to Aliyu, the choice of the Plateau institution was in line with NADDC’s revolutionary blueprint to rework Nigeria’s automotive industry. He added that the agency’s plan was not just to build a local manufacturing factory but to also ensure the provision of testing, repairs and supply of auto parts in order to make complete ownership of new automobiles for most Nigerians.
“The Barkin Ladi centre will further strengthen NADDC’s commitment to harness the talents of young Nigerians in order to sustain the growth in the country’s automobile industry”, he said.
“The centre will provide a learning ground where young people will be supported in developing their own ideas into reality. In addition, it will boost the drive by NADDC to collaborate with schools of higher learning in Nigeria to improve the value of science and technology to development”, he added.
In line with its roadmap, the NADDC has currently conducted a series of mechatronic training and empowerment programs in Kano, Sokoto and Owerri to serve as an exposé for trainees on the repairs and maintenance of vehicles including tricycles and motorcycles.
The agency already has a southern training centre currently in Benin City, Edo state. This centre was established to build capacity and empower Nigerians on the art and science of digital automotive design.
There are testing facilities in Lagos, Enugu and Zaria to serve as a provision of technical support services and ensure global standard compliance in the automotive industry. These testing centres are helping to vet spare parts or components imported or made in Nigeria to ensure compliance to the minimum global standard.
