The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with NexDepot Nig. Ltd and El Zino, has commenced a one-month training on Electrical Power Transformer Repair and Maintenance for students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka.
The programme, which kicked off on Monday, October 19, 2026, has 40 undergraduate participants, with 28 drawn from the Faculty of Engineering.
Declaring the training open, the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, UNIZIK, Engr. Prof. Ugochukwu Okonkwo, described the initiative as a triple-helix collaboration between the university, government through NCDMB, and the private sector.
Prof. Okonkwo said the training offers immense benefits to both the university and the students through hands-on practical exposure, stressing that practical skills remain the bedrock of self-reliance. He recalled that his first income came from hands-on skills.
He noted that despite the growth of solar energy, Nigeria still faces power supply challenges, as laboratories, workshops and industries depend heavily on conventional power to operate sensitive equipment. He urged the participants to see themselves as part of the solution, adding that every sector depends on electricity.
According to him, the training will equip students with industrial skills demanded by companies and capable of making them self-reliant. He said every participant, irrespective of discipline, has a role to play and charged them to take the programme seriously.
Prof. Okonkwo also emphasized safety and the importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling electrical equipment, while thanking NCDMB for selecting UNIZIK for the capacity-building programme.
In his remarks, the Programme Coordinator, Mr. Samuel Joseph Eyo, who served in the Directorate of Earth Observation at the Defence Space Administration (DSA) as Space Science and Technology Officer 1, said the programme shows the value of collaboration among government institutions, private organisations and educational institutions in addressing societal needs.
Mr. Eyo said through such partnerships, NCDMB is bringing the goodwill and developmental commitments of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu closer to Nigerians, especially young people in need of practical skills to become more productive.
“The essence of these initiatives is simple: government policies and development commitments must translate into tangible benefits for the people. Beyond announcements and plans, we want to see young people acquire skills, institutions receive meaningful support, and communities experience the positive impact of purposeful partnerships,” he said.
Eyo commended UNIZIK for providing an enabling environment for the programme, noting that the university’s cooperation has reinforced confidence in it as a credible partner for technical training and future Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.
The coordinator also appreciated the university management, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Prof. Chris Okafor, for their support in facilitating the programme.
Also speaking, the Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Engr. Prof. Christian Emeka Okafor, said skill acquisition is vital for the total training and capacity building of students to become solution providers to society.
Prof. Okafor noted that multinationals, industries and companies are constantly seeking competent and skilled personnel who can add value, and thanked NCDMB and its partners for the initiative.
On his part, the President of the Students Union Government (SUG), UNIZIK, Comrade Chukwueloka Winston Nnake, said the programme aligns with the aspirations of the SUG, as it will equip students with skills to become nation builders and contribute to the power sector.
Comrade Nnake said participants would be more skilled at the end of the training and disclosed that his administration plans to organise a Skill-Up programme covering various vocations and crafts to empower students. He thanked the organisers for choosing UNIZIK.
The facilitator, Engr. Dr. Ugochukwu Anionovo, in his lecture titled “Power Transformer and Maintenance”, explained the fundamentals of transformers and safety. He defined a transformer as a machine that transfers AC electrical energy between circuits by electromagnetic induction, and outlined transformer types, components, basic operational relationships, accessories and protection.
The Programme Coordinator disclosed that at the end of the training, participants will receive PPE materials including overalls, helmets, safety boots and gloves, as well as certificates and stipends. He added that lunch will be provided throughout the duration of the training.
Also present at the event was Mr. Promise Egeonu, an official of NexDepot and one of the coordinators.
