The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Geoffery Nnaji has said the lack of a robust certification system for skilled Artisans in the country has resulted in major revenue losses that run into billions of naira in quick succession.
Nnaji disclosed this when the Association of Computer Village Merchants led by her President, Prince Anthony Nwakeze paid him a courtesy visit today, in his office, Abuja.
According to the Minister, the Ministry is working assiduously in collaboration with Organized Private Sector in the Science and Technology Eco-System to set up Information Communication Technology Hubs (ICT) in the six geo-political zones for capacity building and certification of skilled artisans in the country.
The Minister said that Presidential Executive Order No. 5 which promotes local content in planning and execution of projects, promotion of Nigerian content in contracts, Science, Engineering and Technology and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda are revolutionary instruments set to transform the country’s economy and grow her gross domestic products (GDP).
Nnaji commended the Association for training over 3000 talented youths as part of her efforts to equip them for certification so as to compete favourably with their foreign counterparts.
He further stated that the Ministry has signed a memorandum of understanding with private sector, with its invaluable expertise and resources which will play a vital role in shaping the nation’s workforce towards addressing the country’s challenges and achieving the dream of Nigerians.
To this end, the Minister assured the Association of the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate with her in order to promote local content, empower Nigerian Professionals towards creation of jobs and wealth in the country.
Speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. James Sule commended the Association of her contribution towards the socio-economic development of the country in the areas of job opportunities for our teaming youths and income generation.
Earlier, the President of the Association, Prince Anthony Nwakeze, said, “Ikeja Computer Village, Lagos is the largest Information Communication Technology (ICT) Market in Africa with an annual turnover of two billion dollars as reported by Vanguard Newspaper of April 13th, 2013”.
He further said that Computer Village has so far provided employment for over five hundred thousand graduates, three hundred thousand artisans within the last twenty years, adding that the Association also provides skills acquisition for over two hundred thousand graduates every year in the areas of Soft Ware Development, entrepreneurial knowledge amongst others.
Prince Anthony Nwakeze emphasised that the essence of the visit is to collaborate with the Ministry in the area of building the capacity by training and re-training of Nigerian youths and professionals in specialise digital skills for research and development.