Nigeria retained her position as Africa’s leading economy in terms of GDP size in the last rating. It is however essential to critically ponder why this status does not necessarily reflect on her ability to self-manage complex processes, to technically benchmark key infrastructure projects, to steadily create and sustain the creation of opportunities for her vastly youthful and growing population.
According to Ayo Adeniyi, Chief Executive of NIG ANB, “despite decades of activities in materials manufacturing, the reality begging for attention is that Nigeria is yet to attain 50% of her potentials in terms of materials manufacturing. She is yet to attain that flexible and extensive capacity for manufacturing that guarantees solutions when needed and commands a deep level of industrial confidence beyond the national muzzling of investors. She needs to advance her practices to present manufacturing solutions that are competitive alternatives and not just national demands”
In his words “Nigeria has successfully sailed up to the reef. It is time to go beyond the reef, to expand the elasticity of her industrial capabilities, quantitatively and qualitatively. This is the renewed thrust! Go beyond the reef
Nigeria has verifiably made commendable strides in the development of human and institutional capacities in welding over the last two decades. A feat was tactically driven through the support of the Petroleum technology development fund and the Nigerian content development monitoring board for NIG ANB’s rigorous quality framework in the development of personnel skills and management models that meet high technical standards and leading to the award of IIW international personnel diplomas.
Nigeria’s Manufacturing Value Chain – The Post Covid Awareness
The combined impact of covid-19 and the emerging energy transition window, has stirred a deeper awareness of the urgent need to develop and unleash both sub-surface and broader capacities to harness more or all of Nigeria’s value chain opportunities in manufacturing. Beyond meeting technical requirements. Low scores in the creation of industries and job openings, retention of expenditures, availability, and reduced cost of industry solutions are still burning issues begging for attention.
According to Ayo Adeniyi of NIG-ANB, to address both the current and future needs of Nigeria’s manufacturing industry is the reason NIGERIA has keyed in The Welding Federation (TWF); A strategic and deeper end approach to join efforts and resources with sister nations across Africa, to develop harmonized manufacturing solutions that will act as tools to further the development of Nigeria’s manufacturing capabilities into high-end activities. Opportunities untapped at the moment are in millions of dollars in revenue, creation of industries, and employment generation.
TWF Welding Personnel Qualification and Certification Schemes
This new model initiates a disruption of the norm, calibrates the existing technical system, and aims to reposition welding capacity as a primary economic driver in terms of employment creation, engagement, and possible export of skills where and when required.
In the words of Mazi Sam Onyechi, President of OGTAN at the last NCDMB PNC forum, “although IIW and TWF personnel qualification and certifications both meet mandatory technical standard requirements, both schemes have different goals and objectives. The latter is more of an economic driver than just a personnel development scheme. It is time to change the narrative for good- Therefore for welders, fitters, and welding inspectors, TWF personnel qualification should now be the way to go. The benefits to this approach are of extensive economic and technical impact.
The Welding Federation (TWF) is Africa’s body of national associations, societies, organizations associated with welding technology. TWF is that continental vehicle for building the manufacturing capacities of Africa’s member countries, by collectively collating and interpreting data for the development of harmonized schemes accessible to member states in Africa. Advancing the growth potential of Africa’s welding market, for member countries to harness adequate supply chain opportunities in manufacturing.
Manufacturing in Africa is currently bedeviled by multiple level challenges well advanced beyond the capacity or capability of any single member state. The dynamics at play demand a deep-end integrated approach. Nigeria just like other African countries is therefore coming together with sister states to develop solutions for the growth of her national manufacturing industries for increased value addition to both national and continental GDP growths.
In the words of TWF President John Tarboton from South Africa; “I believe strongly in the power of alliances and continental collaboration is vital at this critical juncture in Africa’s manufacturing sector amidst the new COVID-19 reality facing the globe. Training programs from TWF will also expose welders, fitters, and pressure vessels inspectors to world-class quality standards to ensure weld production excellence and will help position the continent as a contemporary welding pioneer in the years to come.”
About:
NIG-ANB is Nigeria’s technically accredited body for the implementation of the International Institute of Welding (IIW) and The Welding Federation (TWF)’s welder and welding personnel development schemes leading to the award of IIW International and TWF continental Diplomas respectively.