Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Enugu State Government says it’s partnering with Korea Lift College to train youths on new elevator engineering technology.
The partnership was announced during the “2025 National Unveiling of the Korea Lift College Scholarship Programme” for Nigeria youths in Enugu.
The programme was brought by SDG Youth International, an organisation that focuses on engaging young people in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with its Headquarters at Korea.
It is supported by Enugu State Government and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
While unveiling the programme in Enugu, the Africa Representative, SDG Youth International, Mr Ifeanyi Uzoh, said the scholarship was for three African countries namely Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda.
Uzoh said the scholarship was for 150 students in Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda for the first batch.
“The scholarship is for African students to go to Korea study elevator engineering, which is a new technology
“We are encouraging our people in Nigeria to take the advantage of this.The website is open for interested youths to participate.
“We selected six higher institutions across six geo-political zones of the country with Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, emerging the pilot institution while the other five will be announced later.
“This is because Gov. Peter Mbah showed interest by hosting the National unveiling of this programme that made us give the state automatic consideration,” he said.
Mrs Onyinye Akubuilo-Okpalanma, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on SDGs, described the programme as significant milestone in the collective mission to expand global learning opportunities and empower youths with quality world class education.
Akubuilo-Okpalanma, represented by the Special Assistant to Mbah on Youth and Students Affairs, Comrade Prisca Okeke, said the initiative was not about academic pursuit but a gateway to innovation, cross-cultural exchange, and career advancement on a global scale.
She extolled Mbah’s commitment to education and empowerment of Enugu youths, which she noted, had continued to open doors of opportunities for countless aspiring scholars.
“I encourage all stakeholders, students, parents, educators, and policymakers to seize this moment and collaborate towards building a future where quality education knows no borders,” she advised.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, said the college partnered NBTE in the delivery of professional training in elevator design, installation, inspection and maintenance.
Bugaje, represented by Dr Ngozi Okelekwe, Director, NBTE South-East Zonal office, added that the programme would expand the skills industry and contribute to the educational and individual development in Africa.
“We are dedicated to promoting technical and vocational education by ensuring that our institutions are equipped to provide not only knowledge but practical skills that meet the demands of modern workforce.
“I wish to state that the Korean Lift College has provided scholarship opportunities of various categories. It also outlined the entry requirements including proficiency in Korean language.
“I enjoined the beneficiaries to utilise this opportunity,” he said.
The Chairman of Enugu State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Osita Eze, explained that the programme aligned with Mbah’s experiential learning programme of through creation of Smart Schools.
He explained that the college would be offering the scholarship while the Enugu would provide enabling environment.
“It is a symbiotic relationship and it is happening first in Enugu State,” Eze said.
