The President of the Lombardy Regional Government in Italy, Attilio Fontana, has pledged to collaborate with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to enhance vocational education in Abuja. As part of this initiative, a vocational training institute will be established in the FCT, while Nigerian youths will have opportunities to receive specialized training in Lombardy.
FCT Minister Highlights Need for Vocational Education and Agribusiness
During a meeting in Milan with Fontana, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, emphasized the importance of vocational training in empowering youths and reducing crime. He also outlined Abuja’s vast potential for agricultural investment, stating that over 800,000 hectares of land have been designated for agribusiness and forest reserves.
“Abuja has fertile land, and agribusiness will thrive there. We want to attract investors and leverage modern farming technologies. Vocational training, especially in ICT, is also crucial for youth empowerment and self-employment,” Wike stated.
Lombardy Region Offers Expertise in Education and Agriculture
Fontana assured the FCTA delegation of Lombardy’s readiness to support the initiatives, highlighting the region’s leadership in technical education, innovation, and agriculture.
“We have a strong foundation in industry and agriculture, and we are willing to collaborate in shaping the future of education. More than 30 percent of Italy’s technical education is concentrated in Lombardy. We can establish something in Abuja while also welcoming Nigerian youths to learn from us,” Fontana said.
Fast-Tracked Partnership and Next Steps
When Wike inquired about the next steps, Fontana assured swift action, stating, “Today. Our office will prepare a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and once both teams review it, we sign and begin.”
The discussions also covered cooperation in modern farming techniques and technology transfer, with both parties expressing optimism about the partnership’s impact on economic growth and youth development in the FCT.
Key Officials in Attendance
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the FCT Mandate Secretaries for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, and Agriculture and Rural Development, Lawan Geidam.
