In an unprecedented development, the town of Offa is rapidly transforming into a hub for electronics motherboards, particularly Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs).
The ONEIH-Kola Balogun Technology Centre (O-KBTC) celebrated the graduation of a new cohort of PCB designers, producers, and developers at its training centre in Offa in August 2024, with participants drawn from senior professionals and academics.
The training programme, which was declared open by the CEO of One Innovation Hub, Engr Taofeeq Olatinwo, includes participants from over 10 higher institutions across two geographical zones of Nigeria—namely the North Central and South West regions—began on 12th August 2024.
The week-long “Training of Trainers” programme includes lecturers, students, and technologists, with backgrounds in electronics, artificial intelligence, embedded systems, and software development.
Trainers from the MEMMCOL School, Momas Group of Companies, under the Chairmanship of Engr. (Dr.) Kola Balogun, arrived at the facility to install and set up advanced equipment for producing single-sided, double-sided, and multilayer PCBs.
Participants had the opportunity to witness the installation and testing of these systems before being guided through the intricacies of PCB design and production using the advanced facilities.
During a visit to the training centre on Wednesday, 14th August 2024, the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of Summit University, Offa, Professor Abiodun Musa Aibinu, expressed his appreciation for the high level of training being provided and the enthusiasm of the trainees.
He commended the initiative, referring to it as an “Academic Immersion Programme,” where industry experts share their knowledge with academia, helping to realise the vision of “Offa Tuntun”—making Offa a renowned producer of electronics motherboards.
Professor Aibinu also extended his gratitude to the Chairman of MOMAS Group for spearheading this initiative and to the Board and management of One Innovation Hub, Offa, for their unwavering commitment to engaging the youth and changing the narrative in the society and higher institution. Speaking on behalf of the participating institutions, he assured that the trainees would return to their respective institutions to conduct similar training programmes, thereby ensuring the widespread dissemination of these valuable skills and knowledge.
He also took the opportunity to tour the facilities and assess the preparedness for the next phase, which will involve the training of artisans, SMEs, and unemployed graduates from 23rd to 28th September 2024. He noted that the collaboration between academia and industry is taking root and, with the launch of the ONEIH-Kola Balogun Technology Centre in December 2023, the region is poised to tap into the vast potential of PCB technologies, positioning itself as a key player in the global PCB industry.
Professor Aibinu expressed satisfaction with the strategic partnership between One Innovation Hub (ONEIH), Offa, Kwara State, and Teasoo Consulting Limited. He stated that the partnership is set to play a pivotal role in rolling out PCB training locally, empowering the youth of Nigeria with cutting-edge technological skills and knowledge. Teasoo Consulting Limited, with offices in Benin City, Abuja, and Lagos State, brings extensive expertise in project management, organisational development, public sector and governance advisory services, and digital transformation.
We want to train-the-trainers
The training was conducted by experts from Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company Limited (MEMMCOL), led by Engr Bello Bashir Biodun, Head of the Industrial Design and Automation Service Department, and Engr Ojo Gideon, Team Lead in Electronics and PCB Design. They were supported by Ms Nafiu Kafayah Folasade, Laboratory Assistant, and Ms Yusuf Yetunde Aishat, an intern from the University of Ilorin’s Industrial Chemistry Department.
At the closing ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of One Innovation Hub (ONEIH), Engr Taofeeq Olatinwo, emphasized the program’s goal: “We want to train the trainers, particularly senior lecturers from different tertiary institutions, so they can take the knowledge back to their institutions and embed it in their curriculum.
“This training is designed to train the trainers, specifically senior lecturers from various tertiary institutions. At the end of the training, they will take the knowledge back to their respective institutions and embed it in their school curriculum. We want them to integrate it into their curriculum so that their students can start receiving training in PCB Technology.
“They will also bring their students to OKBTC for internships and bring their solutions and products for manufacturing and assembly, leading to commercialization. That’s the main goal.
We want to train the trainers, particularly senior lecturers from different tertiary institutions, so they can take the knowledge back to their institutions and embed it in their curriculum.
Our partnership with tertiary institutions aims to ensure that the leadership of these institutions embeds this program in their curriculum. Once this is done, students will receive classroom training with minimal practical training in school and then come to OKBTC for intensive practical training. This will enable them to become entrepreneurs and start their companies. Additionally, we want them to develop their products here, even if they have product ideas in their institutions, through our DFMA (Development for Manufacturing and Assembly). This way, we can help them package their products for commercialization.
“We also aim to repair and maintain modern equipment such as solar fans, solar systems, water treatment plants, and other modern equipment. We are collaborating with artisans to upgrade and upskill them so they can benefit from what we are doing at the Center.
“This Center is like a factory, which is why we emphasize manufacturing for assembly. We will start manufacturing and have a lineup of training that will bring key people here. As they come, we can integrate them into our production process, and they can start learning and producing things. Once they start the production process, it will continue, and then we will commercialize it. So, it’s not just about technology and training; it’s about having production that we can commercialize and export. It’s a journey, and we will take it step by step.”
The programme’s success highlights OKBTC’s dedication to fostering technological advancement in the region and ensuring that educators are well-equipped to train the next generation of engineers and technologists.
Participants from various tertiary institutions across Nigeria attended the program, including Federal University of Technology Minna (FUTMINNA), Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Summit University Offa, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, The Federal Polytechnic Offa (FEDPOFFA), Lens Polytechnic Offa, and Technology Incubation Center Offa, among others.
OKBTC, commissioned on December 28, 2023, is West Africa’s pioneering facility exclusively dedicated to drone technology, including design, assembly, manufacturing, repair, and maintenance, and has expanded its focus to include PCB manufacturing and Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA).