The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening technical skills development and equipping Nigerians with relevant competencies to enhance their participation in the country’s industrial, maritime and oil and gas sectors. This was stated by the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, during the graduation ceremony of the second cohort of trainees of the Centre for Marine and Offshore Technology Development (CMOTD), Rivers State University.
The NCDMB has continued to support the development of a competent and globally competitive Nigerian workforce through strategic partnerships and targeted interventions. The board's efforts aim to enhance the skills of Nigerians, enabling them to contribute effectively to the country's industrial, maritime, and oil and gas sectors. The graduation ceremony marked the completion of a six-month intensive training program for 24 trainees.
The trainees acquired practical skills in various areas, including ship design and construction, circular economy design, mechanical piping and pressure vessel design, big data analytics, oil well optimisation, transformer repair and maintenance, as well as international-class welding, fabrication and qualification. The program was designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, providing participants with industry-ready competencies.
Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by Ilu Ozekhome, commended the graduands for demonstrating the practical value of their training. He expressed delight that the trainees had begun applying the knowledge acquired during their training to practical projects, including transformer reconstruction and the development of a mobile boarding platform. Ogbe urged the graduands to continue applying their skills to solve problems and create value.
The Chief Executive Officer of CMOTD, Engr. Vitalis Ahiakwo, described the centre as a hub of innovation, applied excellence and technological development. He said the centre was focused on converting research and knowledge into practical, industry-ready competencies capable of supporting the marine, offshore and energy sectors. Ahiakwo emphasised that developing the human capital required to drive Nigeria’s blue economy remains a national imperative.
Ahiakwo challenged the graduands to become change agents by applying what they had learnt, sharing their knowledge with colleagues and maintaining high standards of professional integrity. He advised them not to sign off on work they had not verified and urged them to remain committed to continuous learning. The graduands' success will ultimately serve as a measure of the value of the investment made in their training.
The NCDMB's commitment to technical skills development is part of its efforts to support the growth of Nigeria's industrial, maritime, and oil and gas sectors. The board's initiatives aim to create a competent and globally competitive Nigerian workforce, capable of contributing to the country's economic development. Three key points from the graduation ceremony are:
Key points
- NCDMB reaffirms commitment to technical skills development for Nigerians
- 24 trainees graduate from CMOTD's six-month intensive training program
- Graduands acquire practical skills in various areas, including ship design and construction and transformer repair and maintenance