NASENI to train 120 technicians in auto parts fabrication

By Sunday Williams

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has unfolded plans to train about 120 technical staff across the six-geopolitical zones of the country on the local fabrication of auto parts in Nigeria.

Acting Director General of NASENI, Dr. Mohammed Haruna made the remark in Abuja while presenting a paper on "Engineering infrastructure for the manufacturing of automobile components," at the launching of investments profiles on automotive components organized by the National Automotive Council (NAC).

The Director General of NAC, Engineer Aminu Jalal had said that the automotive industry sources about 70 percent of the over 2,000 parts and components that make up a typical car from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The director general of NASENI explained that they are targeting 10 entrepreneurs in each of the six-geopolitical zones of the country which will nominate two technical staff each, totaling 20 in each zone for the training.

He said that during the selection process, preference would be given to young engineers or technologists who are interested in joint venture entrepreneurship.

He said that they would organize three months hands-on practical training for each group in their areas of business interest locally or in one of the industrializing nations like India, China, Brazil or Malaysia.

He added that the agency will facilitate accessibility of existing investment funds to successful participants, adding that they would also create access for entrepreneurs to utilize existing governments industrial and technological infrastructures like, Industrial Development Centres. NASENI institutes among others.

Dr Haruna called for the development of indigenous human resources to produce more local content that can compete with the international quality standard in the auto manufacturing sector.