FG to Establish Welding Centres in 6 Geo-political Zones

President Bola Tinubu says the National Centre for Training and Welding will be established for training and retraining, evaluation and certification of persons in the welding practice across the six geo-political zones of the country.

Tinubu said this on Monday when he declared open the 2024 Technology and Innovation Expo in Abuja.

The President, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, directed the Federal Ministry of Finance and National Budget and Economic Planning to provide the required funds for the establishment of the centres.

He said welding played a critical role in strengthening Nigeria’s economy.

“Therefore, we would promote the application of the national policy on welding and welding-related fields approved by the government in 2022,” Tinubu said.

He recalled that on assumption of office as President, his administration signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Republic of Cuba to enhance collaboration between the two countries on science and technology.

The President said the area of cooperation covered by the bilateral agreement were biotechnology, scientific investigation and innovation, technology development, human resources development, specialist exchange in science and technology and technology transfer.

Tinubu reiterated that with his Renewed Hope Agenda, innovation, science and technology as crucial apparatuses for modern-day socio-economic advancement, would continue to receive support.

In his remarks, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration dedicated a minimum of 0.5 per cent of the nation’s GDP to research and development.

“By allocating a specific percentage of the country’s income to research and development, the government is proactively investing in the foundations of sustainable economic growth.

“This financial commitment underscores the understanding that continuous productivity and sustainable industrial development are contingent on advancements in STI,” the minister said.