NBTE Greenlights Akwa Ibom Tech Hub as Skills Training Centre – RYNI Applauds Milestone for Youth Empowerment

By RYNI Media | June 19, 2025

@DoublePrince

In a significant boost for youth empowerment and technical development in Nigeria, the Resourceful Youth Network Initiative (RYNI), a leading non-governmental organisation dedicated to youth capacity building, has commended the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for approving the Start Innovation Hub in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, as a certified Skills Training Centre.

This landmark approval, conveyed in a letter signed by Engr. S. M. Yusuf, Director of Vocational, Technical, and Skills Development at NBTE, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Muhammad Bugaje, marks a transformative step toward expanding access to formal technical education in the South-South region of Nigeria.

According to the NBTE, the hub has been officially authorised to provide training in two high-demand disciplines: Computer Hardware Repair and Maintenance and Social Media Communications. These programmes, chosen for their relevance in today’s digital economy, will empower young people with practical, industry-relevant skills needed to thrive in the tech-driven job market.

Under the new arrangement, a recognised Sectoral Awarding Body will oversee the assessment of trainees, ensuring rigorous quality assurance standards. Upon successful completion, trainees will receive nationally recognised certificates issued by the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), endorsed by the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN). This certification confers formal recognition and enhances employability across a broad spectrum of technology-driven fields.

“I am directed to inform you that the Executive Secretary has approved the Centre to operate as a Skills Training Centre,” the letter stated. “Please accept my congratulations on behalf of the Executive Secretary.”

The National Board for Technical Education, Nigeria’s apex regulatory body for technical and vocational education and training (TVET), continues to play a pivotal role in shaping a workforce that is not only employable but equipped for innovation and entrepreneurship.

In reaction to this development, RYNI lauded the NBTE for its strategic foresight in bridging the skills gap and accelerating human capital development. Speaking through a statement released in Uyo, RYNI described the approval as “a bold endorsement of the power of youth-led innovation and a testament to the NBTE’s commitment to decentralising access to technical education.”

“This is more than an administrative greenlight—it’s a gateway for thousands of young Nigerians to transform their passion into profession,” the statement noted. “We commend the NBTE for this visionary move, and we congratulate the leadership of Start Innovation Hub for this well-deserved recognition.

”Start Innovation Hub, a renowned tech incubator in Akwa Ibom, has long been at the forefront of digital inclusion and youth upskilling. The new NBTE certification underscores its growing role in shaping Nigeria’s digital future, particularly through practical training that aligns with global standards.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with youth unemployment and underemployment, initiatives like this stand out as actionable solutions with long-term impact. By integrating formal technical certification into grassroots innovation spaces, the NBTE is laying the groundwork for a generation of job creators rather than job seekers.

This development is poised to catalyse a ripple effect across Nigeria’s youth empowerment ecosystem, inspiring more collaborations between government bodies, private sector actors, and non-governmental organisations like RYNI to deliver on the promise of inclusive, skills-based education.

With the approval of the Skills Training Centre in Uyo, Akwa Ibom joins the ranks of forward-thinking states investing in the future of work. As RYNI aptly puts it, “This is a win for the youth, a win for development, and a win for Nigeria.”

© RYNI Media@DoublePrince