The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), in partnership with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), has graduated 86 technicians under its technical and vocational training programme as part of efforts to strengthen youth employment and technical manpower development in Nigeria.
The graduation ceremony, which marked the 28th convocation of the Railway Technical Institute, was held on Tuesday and brought together families, instructors, government officials and industry stakeholders.
Speaking during the event, the Managing Director of NRC, Kayode Opeifa, described the graduation as another important step in the corporation’s drive to equip young Nigerians with practical skills that can support economic growth and self-reliance.
“It is with great delight and a profound sense of responsibility that I welcome you all to this historic occasion. Today is yet another milestone as we celebrate the successful graduation of 86 trainees,” Opeifa said.
According to him, the graduation goes beyond awarding certificates, stressing that the programme reflects NRC’s commitment to workforce development and nation-building through technical education.
“This ceremony is not merely a graduation event. It is a demonstration of our institutional commitment to youth empowerment, workforce development, and nation-building through technical education and vocational excellence,” he added.
Opeifa explained that the Railway Technical Institute, established in 1924, was originally created to support railway maintenance operations before evolving into a broader technical and vocational training centre.
He said the institute has over the years expanded its role to provide young Nigerians with employable and entrepreneurial skills across different technical fields.
Through the collaboration between NRC and NDE, thousands of youths have reportedly received training in vocational areas including electrical installation, welding and fabrication, refrigeration, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and automobile mechanics.
The NRC boss stated that the latest batch of 86 graduates underwent intensive practical and theoretical training under a “learning by doing” approach aimed at preparing them for industry demands and workplace realities.
He also linked the programme to the Federal Government’s ongoing transportation modernisation agenda, noting that human capital development remains critical to the future of Nigeria’s railway system.
“No railway system can function optimally without a steady pipeline of technically competent manpower,” Opeifa said.
He disclosed that the corporation plans to upgrade the Railway Technical Institute to begin offering National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes.
According to him, NRC is also working towards modernising the school’s curriculum to align with global developments in railway technology, engineering systems and energy innovation.
Addressing the graduating students, Opeifa urged them to see the completion of the programme as the beginning of greater responsibilities.
“Today is not the conclusion of your journey, but the commencement of greater responsibilities. You are leaving not just with certificates, but with skills that can create opportunities and add value to the economy,” he told the graduands.
Earlier in her remarks, the Principal of the college, Kelechi Nosike, appealed to the NRC management to address staffing shortages affecting the institution.
She urged the corporation to consider employing some part-time teachers who, according to her, have supported the institution for years without being formally absorbed into the workforce.
“I am using this opportunity to appeal to the management of NRC to consider giving employment to some of our part-time teachers who have been working with us for decades without being made staff,” she said.
“These staff members have put in their all to support the growth of the school and the training of the student.”
Nosike also appealed to the corporation to absorb some of the best graduating students into the institution’s workshops to help close existing manpower gaps and maintain training standards.
“Also, I am appealing to the management to consider absorbing some of the best among today’s graduands to fill the gap in the workshop,” she added.
She further commended the leadership of Opeifa for plans to upgrade and renovate the institution into a higher institution focused on technical learning and workforce development.
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