The Commissioner for Technical Education, Mr. Smart Ijomah Ufoh, has announced sweeping reforms and infrastructural upgrades across the state’s technical colleges. Speaking in Asaba, the Commissioner declared that the Ministry of Technical Education is fully aligned with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, which prioritizes youth empowerment, education, and industrial advancement.
Mr. Ufoh revealed that the administration has significantly ramped up efforts in the past two years to ensure that Deltans benefit from world-class technical education. One of the most notable milestones is the near completion of the Omadino Model Technical College, which has progressed from 40 percent to over 90 percent completion under Governor Oborevwori’s directive. The Commissioner confirmed that the institution is set to be fully equipped and ready for academic activities by September 2025.
In preparation for the grand launch, the ministry has begun a large-scale procurement of laboratory equipment, engineering and automobile workshop tools, fashion and design materials, farm implements, classroom furniture, and administrative fittings. The supply of 2,500 chairs to various technical colleges was also recently completed, marking a major improvement in student comfort and learning conditions.
Furthermore, the Commissioner disclosed that the government has reviewed contracts for the ongoing construction of model technical colleges in Irri, Kiagbodo, Oghareki, and Akugbene. Upon final approval by the State Executive Council, contractors are expected to resume work immediately, with several of the colleges projected to commence academic sessions alongside Omadino’s September opening.
Accreditation efforts have also seen a major boost. The state has secured full accreditation for trade courses in all six existing technical colleges and gained approval for the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) programme in three of the new model colleges. Mr. Ufoh emphasized that the NSQF is internationally recognized and will give Delta students a competitive edge in both national and global labor markets.
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To ease the financial burden on students, the Delta State Government has been footing the bill for May/June National Technical Certificate (NTC) and Modular Business and Technical (MBT) exams conducted by the National Board for Technical Education and Business (NABTEB), a gesture that continues annually under the Oborevwori administration.
In partnership with industry experts, the ministry has overhauled the technical education curriculum to align with current market demands. According to Mr. Ufoh, this initiative ensures that graduates possess the practical skills and competencies employers require in today’s fast-evolving economy.
The Commissioner also celebrated the entrepreneurial successes emerging from the state’s technical schools. Students have not only manufactured high-grade iron doors used in building projects but have also produced hospital beds, automated brick-making machines, furniture, and a variety of baked goods including bread, cakes, and meat pies. These innovations follow the Governor’s approval of production units in all technical colleges, further reinforcing the practical nature of the training.
With these strategic interventions, Delta State is positioning itself as a leader in technical education in Nigeria, preparing a new generation of skilled workers and innovators ready to drive the state’s economic future.