The National Automotive Design and Development Council has trained over 15,000 technicians in its Mechatronics Programme for tricycle and motorcycle repair and maintenance.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of a five-day specialised training in Makurdi, Benue State, Director-General of NADDC, Joseph Osanipin, noted that the agency embarked on the training initiative to address Nigeria’s automotive skills gap, enhance technical capacity, and create sustainable livelihoods for youths and technicians.
He said, “Through collaboration with stakeholders, including the Simba Group Nigeria, the Council has successfully trained over 15,000 technicians in the Mechatronics Programme for Tricycle and Motorcycle Repair and Maintenance.”
The NADDC DG explained that the programme was in response to the Federal Government’s Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, which has attracted $980m in investments, deployed 20,000 CNG-powered vehicles, and set up more than 315 conversion centres nationwide.
Osanipin said, “Today’s tricycles and motorcycles are increasingly defined by electronic systems and dual-fuel technology (Petrol and CNG) rather than purely mechanical. Preparing our technicians for this shift is not only necessary but urgent.”
He added that the Council had established 21 Automotive Training Centres across the six geopolitical zones, with 16 of them already equipped with state-of-the-art tools in line with global trends.
He commended the Simba Group Nigeria, the Benue State Government, and the Benue State Investment Promotion Agency for their support, while urging the beneficiaries to use their new skills to advance their careers and boost local economic growth.
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