BENIN CITY – The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has launched a hands-on vocational training initiative designed to equip students with practical technical skills in automobile servicing and maintenance.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday in Benin City by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Benedicta Ehanire.
According to the statement, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, said the initiative, organised under the University’s Vocational and Technical Training Programme (VTTP), formed part of his ongoing strategic reforms to reposition the institution.
He said the programme, titled “Fundamentals of Automobile Service and Periodic Maintenance Training Programme,” was aimed at making UNIBEN a centre for capacity building and vocational excellence.
Prof. Omoregie explained that the training aligns with one of the pillars of his Five-Point Agenda, which focuses on transforming the university into a hub for skill acquisition and employability enhancement.
“The future of higher education in Nigeria lies in skill integration, where academic learning is complemented by vocational and technical training,” he said.
“This initiative is designed to empower students with practical skills, entrepreneurial drive, and the mindset to become job creators rather than job seekers.”
The vice-chancellor noted that the programme reflects UNIBEN’s commitment to bridging the gap between theory and practice in engineering education and to align with global best practices in experiential learning.
He said the first phase of the training targets undergraduate engineering students, who will receive hands-on instruction in automobile diagnostics, servicing, and periodic maintenance from industry professionals and technical experts.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the VTTP, Prof. Andrew Amenaghawon, commended the vice-chancellor’s visionary leadership and his commitment to student development.
He described the initiative as “a bold step toward repositioning the University of Benin as a leader in technical and vocational education.”
“This programme is not just about learning how to fix cars. It is about empowering students with practical knowledge that adds real value, enhances employability, and fosters self-reliance,” Amenaghawon added.