NRC Trains 86 Graduates, Secures Job Opportunities
A Milestone in Technical Education and Youth Empowerment
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) recently marked a significant milestone by graduating 86 trainees from the Railway Technical Institute, Ebute Metta, Lagos, as part of its skills acquisition programme. This event, held on May 5, 2026, was a celebration of technical education and youth empowerment, bringing together stakeholders from government, academia, and the transport sector.
The ceremony highlighted the NRC’s ongoing commitment to developing a skilled workforce that can drive national growth. Managing Director of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, emphasized that the graduation reflected the Corporation’s deliberate investment in building a capable and competent technical workforce. He assured the graduands of potential employment opportunities, stating that the training had prepared them for the evolving demands of the labor market.
“Today, we celebrate 86 graduands who have undergone rigorous, hands-on training across multiple technical disciplines. They are equipped with the skills required not just to seek jobs, but to create value within Nigeria’s evolving transport and industrial sectors,” Opeifa said.
A Legacy of Technical Training
The Railway Technical Institute, established in 1924, has long been a cornerstone of technical training in Nigeria. Opeifa noted that the NRC is repositioning the institute through curriculum upgrades, infrastructure renewal, and strategic partnerships to meet global standards in railway technology and transport innovation.
The trainees were trained in a wide range of technical areas, including:
- Electrical installations
- Electronics engineering
- Welding and fabrication
- Refrigeration and air conditioning
- Automobile mechanics
- Carpentry
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- Fashion design and printing technology
These skills are crucial for addressing the growing demand for technical expertise in Nigeria’s expanding transport and industrial sectors.
Support from Government and Academia
In her remarks, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, Abiola Arogundade, represented by Dr Abiola Isikalu, commended the NRC for strengthening technical education. She emphasized that vocational training plays a critical role in engaging youth, aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Ismaeel Ahmed, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles, congratulated the graduands and reaffirmed the initiative’s partnership with the NRC in promoting clean energy solutions. He stated that the collaboration would support natural gas adoption, reduce fuel costs, and encourage a cleaner environment while also creating demand for skilled technical personnel.
Professor Clement Olusegun Kolawole, Vice Chancellor of Trinity University, expressed pride in the institution’s partnership with the NRC in manpower development and logistics training. He acknowledged the importance of such collaborations in fostering a skilled and innovative workforce.
A New Era for the Railway Technical Institute
Earlier, the Principal of the Railway Technical Institute, Mr Kelechi Raphael Nosike, described the event as a milestone, noting that the trainees completed a three-year craft programme across various disciplines. He commended the NRC management for its efforts to upgrade the institute and align its programmes with national development priorities.
This graduation marks a new chapter in the history of the Railway Technical Institute, reflecting the NRC’s dedication to providing quality technical education and equipping the youth with the skills needed for the future.
