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The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has inaugurated Nigeria’s first chip design training programme, in a move aimed at equipping young Nigerians with skills required for emerging opportunities in semiconductor technology, both locally and globally.
The initiative was unveiled in Abuja on Tuesday by the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, who stated that the programme was designed to address the widening gap in semiconductor chip design skills across the world.
Bugaje explained that the training would position Nigerian youths to compete in a rapidly evolving global technology space, particularly in fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, banking systems, and advanced digital infrastructure.
He said, “There are very serious wide gap in chip design skills across the world, and Nigeria should participate in filling those gaps.
“Opportunities exist locally, without needing to leave Nigeria.
“The six-month programme will be delivered online, allowing participants to acquire industry-relevant expertise remotely while gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to the multibillion-dollar semiconductor industry globally.”
According to him, although only a limited number of countries currently manufacture semiconductor chips, the design process can be carried out from anywhere, thereby offering Nigeria a strategic entry point into the global technology value chain.
Bugaje added that the programme aligns with Nigeria’s broader industrialisation and digital transformation agenda, noting that NBTE is positioning the country to become a hub for semiconductor design expertise in the near future.
He projected that the initiative could generate approximately $100m annually, with the potential to rise to $1bn within five years, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.
On funding, the NBTE boss disclosed that the programme costs about N7m per participant, equivalent to roughly $5,000. He, however, noted that NBTE would subsidise half of the cost, while partner companies would recover the balance after trainees secure employment.
Bugaje urged Nigerian youths to embrace emerging digital skills, stressing that dependence on traditional career paths may limit future opportunities in an increasingly technology-driven world.
“Semiconductor technology is the foundation of the technology of the future, and we must prepare now,” he said.
A software and robotics engineer, Dr Salim Maaji, said the rapid advancement of AI influenced his decision to focus on chip design, noting that such skills would help professionals remain relevant in a changing labour market.
“AI needs microchips to function. Learning how to design them means becoming part of the future rather than watching technology replace existing jobs,” he said.
Also, a data science researcher, Dr Mariam Idris, described the six-month training as a faster and more accessible alternative to traditional university programmes, which often span several years.
She encouraged Nigerian youths to explore chip design as a viable career path with high global demand and relatively limited competition, while advising continuous learning to keep pace with advancements in AI and semiconductor innovation.
