Samsung to open multi-billion engineering academy

Samsung Electronics West Africa, has commenced the construction of a multi-billion engineering academy in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

The academy, which is also the second in Nigeria, is in line with the firm’s commitment to the development of Nigeria’s information technology sector.

The academy was launched in South African in March 2011, the initiative premiered in Nigeria with the opening of the first Samsung Electronics engineering academy at Government Technical College, Ikeja in Lagos State.

According to the company, the capacity-building programme is an integral part of Samsung’s vision to fast tract the entry of African youths into the electronics job market, with a view to developing 10,000 electronics engineers across the continent by 2015.

Speaking at the academy’s ground breaking ceremony in Ado-Ekiti recently the Governor of the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, commended Samsung’s efforts and commitment towards facilitating youth empowerment in Nigeria. “Our dear friend and partner, Samsung, has decided to honour our state with a world-class learning facility that will empower our youth. Today, we are laying the foundation for the facility. In 2006, we promised to offer a laptop per child but it seemed impossible, today it is a reality, this initiative is another promise fulfilled and we will not relent on our effort to bring back the glory of Ekiti state,” he said.

Also speaking, Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Bravo Kim reiterated Samsung’s interest and commitment to facilitating a better future for Nigeria by training a skilled workforce of technicians who will become service experts empowered to create wealth. “At Samsung, we understand the importance of investment in quality education and its role in youth empowerment. Today’s ceremony is yet another significant milestone for Samsung in Africa, as it represents our vision to ensure that empowerment opportunities that exist on the continent is shared by all, even as we continue to expand the programme here in Nigeria and across the continent,” he said.