Towards collaboration to revolutionize technical and vocational education in Nigeria, the Honourable Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, on Tuesday met with Dr. Matteo Prosper, CEO of Lorenzo, in Abuja.
The Lorenzo CEO had paid a pivotal courtesy visit to the Minister marking the beginning of a promising collaboration.
Professor Mamman, at the meeting, had underscored the urgency of equipping Nigeria's youth with the skills needed to thrive in an evolving global economy.
According to a statement issued by the Director Press & PR
Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, the Minister said "Our youth represent 65% of the population, and their future hinges on the quality of education and skill development we can provide.
"This collaboration with Lorenzo is not just a partnership; it is a transformative step towards achieving international standards of training and certification that will unlock unprecedented opportunities for our young people," he stated.
Professor Mamman reaffirmed the Federal Government's pledge to expedite the operationalization of the partnership, instructing Dr. Ejeh Usman, Director of Polytechnic and Allied Institutions, to engage with Lorenzo's representatives and develop a strategic plan for implementation, including the terms of collaboration and key performance indicators.
He expressed optimism that the collaboration would play a pivotal role in realizing President Tinubu's vision for Nigeria where young people are empowered to become innovative entrepreneurs, creating jobs and driving economic growth, or highly sought-after professionals, contributing to Nigeria's global competitiveness.
Speaking earlier, Dr. Matteo Prosper, CEO of Lorenzo, expressed his company's dedication to supporting Nigeria's educational aspirations.
"Lorenzo, with its decades of experience in technical education, is eager to bring its expertise to Nigeria. Our proposed project is designed to meet the specific needs of Nigeria's technical education sector, ensuring that students are not only skilled but are also prepared for the demands of modern industries," Dr. Prosper remarked.
He introduced the core elements of the project, emphasizing Lorenzo’s long-standing commitment to creating solutions tailored to the unique needs of each country.
Dr. Prosper affirmed that the project, developed in collaboration with Lorenzo’s African Manager, Mr. Roland Ruhuanuriza, and Mr Netufo Jasper Oluranti of whitecloud TVET is poised to bring about significant improvements in technical education across Nigeria.
Mr. Roland Ruhuanuriza, the African Regional Manager for Lorenzo, concluded by unveiling the vision for the "Tinubu Renewed Hope Centre of Excellence."
He said "This Centre is set to become a beacon of technical and vocational education in Nigeria, offering short-term, intensive courses in fields such as electronics, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and civil engineering.
"Our goal is to rapidly transform Nigerian youth into skilled workers who can drive the nation’s industrialization efforts. The establishment of this Centre will not only cater to local industries but will also position Nigeria as an attractive destination for international investment," Mr. Roland stated.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to the swift implementation of the groundbreaking initiative, which promises to be a cornerstone in Nigeria's journey towards industrial and economic transformation.