The University of Benin has concluded the first phase of the Industrial Training Fund’s artisan training programme, reinforcing its commitment to skills acquisition, vocational education, and national development.

In a statement on Sunday by the university’s spokesperson, Benedicta Ehanire, the close-out ceremony, held on Tuesday, brought together the vice-chancellor, Edoba Omoregie, members of the university management, programme coordinators, and beneficiaries.

Implemented under the federal government’s Skill-Up Artisan initiative, Ms Ehanire said the programme provided free, industry-relevant training to 200 artisans over an intensive eight-week period.

Participants, according to her, received hands-on instruction in areas such as cybersecurity, tailoring, welding and fabrication, automobile maintenance, carpentry, electrical installation, plumbing, poultry and crop production, and animal husbandry.

In his address, Mr Omoregie praised President Bola Tinubu for initiating the ITF-SUPA programme, describing it as a strategic investment in human capital development.

The vice-chancellor reaffirmed the university’s resolve to go beyond degree awards by equipping students, staff, and host communities with practical and entrepreneurial skills.

“Our responsibility as a university goes beyond awarding degrees. We are deliberately building technical skills, entrepreneurial capacity, and practical competence that can translate into real economic value,” Mr Omoregie said.

He added that the initiative aligned with his five-point agenda. He congratulated the trainees on completing the first phase and urged them to put their acquired skills to productive use as they prepare for the next stage.

Mr Omoregie assured that the University of Benin would continue to champion skill-based and entrepreneurship-driven education.

On his part, the coordinator of the Vocational and Technical Training Programme, Andrew Amenaghawon, commended the vice-chancellor for positioning the university to take advantage of the ITF-SUPA initiative.