The Federal Ministry of Steel Development has successfully completed its inaugural Bootcamp Training Program, where 535 young Nigerians were trained in specialized areas including welding and fabrication, industrial foundry and metallurgy, as well as instrumentation, control, and mechanical maintenance.
During the official closing ceremony of the Boot-Camp Training Program organized by the Ministry at the Metallurgical Training Institute (MTI) in Onitsha, Anambra State, the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu—who was presiding—revealed that this initiative marks an important step towards revitalizing Nigeria’s steel sector and equipping young people with essential skills needed for the country’s progress.
Prince Audu likewise praised the dedication, resilience, and discipline exhibited by the participants throughout the rigorous training program. He underscored the federal government’s pledge to empower youths via technical and vocational education, noting that “The boot camp wasn’t merely focused on skill-building and provision of tools; it aimed at fostering character growth, instilling discipline, and nurturing an innovative spirit oriented toward entrepreneurship and public service. The overarching objective is to create a corps of capable, loyal young individuals ready to propel Nigeria’s metallurgical and steel industries ahead.”
He emphasized that for the nation to achieve its goals for the steel industry, significant investment in human resources is essential. He pointed out that the Bootcamp Training and Empowerment Program serves as proof of the federal government’s dedication to fostering a competent workforce. In his view, providing young people with hands-on training in areas like welding and metallurgy will help build the groundwork for an autonomous and industrially advanced Nigeria.
The Honorable Minister, when listing some accomplishments of the ministry during his tenure, disclosed that their strategic objective is to gradually develop a group of skilled, nationalistic young Nigerians who are passionate about advancing the country’s nascent metallurgy and steel industry toward achieving a $1 trillion USD economy by 2030, as outlined by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR.
Prince Audu praised the organizers of the training program from both the Ministry and the Metallurgical Training Institute (MTI) in Onitsha for their contributions toward making this inaugural initiative successful through the provision of resources and specialized knowledge. He encouraged those graduating to serve as exemplary representatives of the program and leaders in reigniting industry and fostering progress.
He stated, “Allow your deeds to mirror the principles of hard work, superiority, and national loyalty you’ve absorbed here.”
As you collect your starter kits today, they should represent not an ending but a fresh start—the commencement of your voyage towards increased productivity, creative expression, and significant national contribution.”
At the event, Professor Charles Soludo, CFR, who serves as the Executive Governor of Anambra State, expressed his commendation through a representative. The commissioner for industry, Christine Udechukwu, stood in for him during this occasion. They both praised the ministry for their praiseworthy effort aimed at empowering Nigerian youth with essential skills needed to tackle challenges and generate prosperity.
Additionally, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Steel, Honorable Patrick Ndubueze, who was represented by Chief Etiebat Nwachukwu, suggested that the Bootcamp Training should become an annual initiative. He emphasized that the Ministry would seek legislative support to secure its continuity. Furthermore, he mentioned that this program exemplifies the federal government’s commitment to ongoing youth development as part of their forward-looking strategy.
In his earlier comments, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, emphasized that the program wasn’t merely designed as a training initiative; instead, it serves as a catalyst for igniting aspirations, fostering innovative thinking, and nurturing a fresh cohort of business leaders within Nigeria’s metal and steel sector.
Dr. Chris recounts the uplifting tale of a young entrepreneur in a remote northern Nigerian town who initiated a humble metalwork enterprise equipped only with a single welder and a borrowed hut. This individual went from house to house mending gates, metallic entryways, and protective grills for windows before eventually mastering the creation of security systems. Over time, he expanded his expertise to crafting farming implements and ultimately ventured further into constructing light steel frameworks.
Today, that young man runs a business that has more than 150 employees, provides steel products throughout three West African nations, and has recently inked an agreement with a local administration to manufacture solar-powered stalls for remote marketplaces. He shared with the graduates, “This milestone marks not the culmination but rather the genuine beginning of your journeys.”
Engr. Frederick Ewa, the Director of the Metallurgical Inspection Department, provided an overview of the boot camp, revealing that this endeavor was more than merely a training program; it was a movement—a resounding call to action—aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s metal and steel industry by focusing on the country’s greatest asset: young people.
Engineer Ewa disclosed that an impressive total of 258,833 applications were submitted from all over the nation, including each state and region. From this large pool, 700 candidates were chosen following a stringent yet fair selection procedure based on merit. The selected young individuals underwent training in four intense sessions at the prestigious Metallurgical Training Institute (MTI) located in Onitsha—a hub renowned for high standards in metallurgy studies and practices. Engineer Ewa urged these newly graduated trainees to venture forth and spark industrial growth, light up their communities, and shape the better future Nigeria aspires towards.
The General Course Representative for the program, Esemuede Omoruyi, also spoke, expressing gratitude to the Federal Government for its steadfast dedication to human capital development. He emphasized the graduates’ resolve to convert this investment into significant advancements and committed themselves to becoming proactive contributors to building a nation characterized by skilled, inventive, and hardworking citizens.
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