Nigeria still imports welders, says NBTE boss

The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Prof. Idris Bugaje, has lamented Nigeria’s continued dependence on foreign welders, warning that the country’s iron and steel industry cannot attain its full potential without a strong pool of locally trained professionals.

Bugaje spoke in Abuja during the unveiling and certificate presentation ceremony for graduates of the Soldamatic Augmented Reality Welding Training Programme organised by Whitecloud TVET Academy.

He described welding as a critical pillar of industrialisation, stressing that major sectors such as steel production, oil and gas, construction, manufacturing and pipeline development rely heavily on skilled welders.

According to him, Nigeria’s shortage of qualified welders has forced industries to source manpower from abroad, a trend he said undermines efforts to build local technical capacity.

“The iron and steel industry cannot function without welders because steel sheets cannot perform their intended functions unless they are welded together to form columns, pipes and other structures required by industry,” Bugaje said.

He disclosed that foreign welders were engaged during the construction of the Dangote Refinery, while the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline project exposed significant gaps in Nigeria’s technical workforce.

Bugaje further revealed that welding professionals from countries including Indonesia and the Philippines are currently employed in oil and gas operations in Warri and Port Harcourt.

The NBTE boss, however, expressed optimism that emerging training technologies could help address the challenge. He noted that the board had assessed and approved the Soldamatic welding training package for adoption in polytechnics nationwide.

He described the graduation of the trainees as a significant step towards closing the country’s skills deficit and building a workforce capable of supporting industrial growth.

Bugaje also commended Soldamatic Nigeria Limited for introducing Augmented Reality Welding technology, saying the innovation would accelerate learning, reduce training costs and improve safety standards.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Whitecloud TVET Solutions Limited, Mr Netufo Jasper Oluranti, said the programme was designed to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training and prepare young Nigerians for opportunities in the industrial sector.

He explained that the pioneer beneficiaries, sponsored by Ways and Wills Concept Limited, underwent intensive training in Welding and Fabrication Technology using the Soldamatic Augmented Reality Welding system.

According to him, the programme combines 40 per cent digital simulation with 60 per cent practical workshop training, enabling participants to acquire both theoretical knowledge and hands-on competence.

Jasper said the technology integrates real welding tools with digital guidance systems that help learners improve precision, confidence and operational efficiency in a controlled environment.

He added that the innovation reduces material wastage, enhances safety and provides detailed performance assessments for instructors and trainees.

Also speaking, the President of Women in Mining Nigeria, Dr Janet Adeyemi, described welding as a major driver of economic development and wealth creation.

She said virtually every engineering and construction project depends on welding, making the profession indispensable to infrastructure development and industrial expansion.

Adeyemi urged the graduates to embrace entrepreneurship and continuous learning, noting that technological advancements are creating new opportunities within the sector.

A member of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Institute of Welding, Alhaji Ismaila Sifawa, also described welding as the backbone of engineering and industrial development.

He said professionally trained Nigerian welders have secured employment opportunities in major projects across Africa, the Middle East and South America.

One of the graduates, Utibe Christina Umoh, commended the training programme, saying the blend of virtual simulation and practical experience improved trainees’ confidence and preparedness before entering the workshop.

Stakeholders at the event agreed that the adoption of advanced welding technologies could help bridge Nigeria’s technical skills gap, strengthen local manufacturing and reduce the country’s dependence on foreign expertise.