By Funmilayo Adeyemi
The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has inaugurated Nigeria’s first chip design training programme, aimed at equipping young Nigerians with skills for emerging opportunities in semiconductor technology globally and across the country.
Prof. Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of NBTE, disclosed this at the Abuja inauguration on Tuesday, stating the initiative was created to bridge Nigeria’s widening skills gap in semiconductor chip design.
Bugaje explained that the programme would empower Nigerian youths to compete in the rapidly expanding technology sector, particularly in areas of Artificial Intelligence, robotics, banking systems, and advanced digital and industrial infrastructures.
He emphasised, “There are very serious wide gap in chip design skills across the world, and Nigeria should participate in filling those gaps.
“Opportunities exist locally, without needing to leave Nigeria.
“The six-month programme will be delivered online, allowing participants to acquire industry-relevant expertise remotely while gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to the multibillion-dollar semiconductor industry globally.”
Bugaje added that while only a few countries manufactured semiconductor chips, design work could be carried out anywhere, providing Nigeria an entry point into global technological innovations and the lucrative semiconductor market.
He said the initiative aligned with Nigeria’s broader industrial and technological development goals, adding that NBTE aimed to position the country as a future hub for semiconductor design expertise.
“The programme could generate about 100 million dollars annually, rising potentially to one billion dollars within five years, making a significant contribution to Nigeria’s economy and Gross Domestic Product,” Bugaje projected.
The NBTE boss said the programme costs about 7 million Naira per participant, roughly 5,000 dollars, but NBTE subsidised half while partner companies recovered the balance after successful employment of trainees.
He encouraged young Nigerians to embrace emerging digital skills rather than solely relying on traditional career paths.
“Semiconductor technology is the foundation of the technology of the future, and we must prepare now,” he said.
A software and robotics engineer, Dr Salim Maaji, said the rapid growth of AI motivated his interest in chip design, adding it ensured professionals remained relevant as technology rapidly evolved and transformed labour markets.
Maaji said, “AI needs microchips to function. Learning how to design them means becoming part of the future rather than watching technology replace existing jobs,” stressing the urgency of skill acquisition.
Similarly, Dr Mariam Idris, a data science researcher, said the intensive six-month programme made advanced semiconductor training accessible compared to traditional university programmes that often took several years to complete.
Idris urged Nigerian youths to explore chip design as an emerging career path with high global demand and limited competition.
She advised participants to continually update skills, tracking trends in AI and semiconductor innovation.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
