The University of Uyo (UNIUYO) has secured a British Council–funded grant to transform Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), with a focus on digital innovation, inclusiveness, and job creation in Nigeria’s construction industry.
The one-year project, undertaken in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University, seeks to revolutionise vocational education by harnessing digital technologies to enhance sustainability and drive economic growth.
Professor Emmanuel Akpabio, Director of the Directorate of International Programmes and lead investigator, disclosed this at a press conference in Uyo.
He explained that the project would equip Nigerians with practical skills, improve employability, and provide the construction sector with a skilled workforce capable of embracing emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Building Information Modelling (BIM), and smart sustainability practices.
Key activities lined up include a “train-the-trainers” workshop in Uyo from October 14–17, 2025, capacity building for technical institutions and industry professionals, as well as exchange visits to Edinburgh Napier University and construction industry partners in the UK.
Akpabio, who is also a senior research fellow at the Institute for Research and Policy Integration for Africa (IRPA), stressed that the programme would strengthen academia-industry collaboration, promote entrepreneurship, and ensure students receive hands-on training tailored to real-world challenges.
He lauded the Vice Chancellor of UNIUYO, Prof. Nyaudo Ndaeyo, for his support and leadership, and praised the British Council for funding the project, describing it as a milestone that further boosts the university’s reputation with international funding agencies.
“We urge the public, industry stakeholders, academia, and the media to follow the project’s progress and key activities. Together, we can harness digital technologies to drive sustainability, inclusiveness, and employability in vocational education.“
