Governor Mbah Approves Land for High-Tech Digital Fabrication Centre in Enugu

(Peter Mbah. Photo by TheCable)

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has approved the allocation of land in Enugu, the state capital, for establishing a state-of-the-art Digital Fabrication Centre by the Industrial Training Fund.

The governor made this announcement while receiving a delegation from the fund during a courtesy visit to Government House, Enugu.

According to a statement issued by the fund's Director of Press and Public Relations, Mbah described the proposed project as timely and consistent with his administration's vision of transforming Enugu into a leading destination for investment, innovation, and technology-driven industrial development.

He noted that future economic prosperity depends on deliberate investment in human capital and emerging technologies, adding that the state has continued fostering an enabling environment for innovation, enterprise, and sustainable growth.

The governor explained that his administration has made technical education compulsory within the state's basic education system, with particular emphasis on digital literacy, robotics, and mechatronics to prepare learners for evolving employment landscapes.

He noted that numerous traditional trades are increasingly driven by digital technologies, making it essential to equip young people with relevant technical competencies enabling global competitiveness and meaningful economic contribution.

Mbah further disclosed that his administration has established smart schools throughout the state, equipped with robotics centres, mechatronics laboratories, and other modern learning facilities designed to prepare youth for the evolving global economy.

He noted projections suggesting artificial intelligence could contribute substantially to the global economy in coming years, emphasising that the state must remain intentional about upskilling its citizens.

He stated that establishing the fund's Digital Fabrication Centre would significantly strengthen the state's efforts toward building a knowledge-based economy, fostering innovation, promoting local manufacturing, and creating employment opportunities for its expanding youthful population.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund, who led the delegation, explained that upon his appointment by President Tinubu, he received a mandate to upskill Nigerian artisans according to international standards.

He detailed how the fund subsequently repositioned its technical and vocational skills development efforts through strategic initiatives, including a programme designed to train, certify, and license Nigerian artisans to international standards.

The director-general disclosed that the fund had already established a similar Digital Fabrication Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, capable of producing more than 400 different products, and subsequently requested land allocation in Enugu State to establish a comparable facility with equivalent production capacity.

He explained that this initiative aims to promote industrialisation, reduce import dependence, and prepare Nigerians for opportunities within the Fourth Industrial Revolution, while reaffirming the fund's readiness to pursue public-private partnerships that would transform Nigeria's artisanal ecosystem.

He further noted that digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, and computer-aided manufacturing, are rapidly transforming the global economy, making it essential for Nigeria to deliberately invest in workforce upskilling to maintain global competitiveness.

The delegation was subsequently conducted on a guided tour of facilities at one of the smart schools established by the Enugu State Government.