NITT partners foundation to train female professional drivers

The Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Workbridge Empowerment Foundation to train, certify and facilitate sustainable employment opportunities for women as professional drivers across Nigeria.

The agreement was disclosed in a statement issued by NITT and is being implemented in collaboration with the Women Drive Nigeria Initiative.

According to the statement, NITT will be responsible for delivering professional driver training and certification, while the Workbridge Empowerment Foundation will recruit participants for the programme. It added that over 100 women have already enrolled for the pilot phase of the initiative.

Speaking in the statement, the Director-General/Chief Executive of NITT, Dr Bayero Farah, described the partnership as “a significant step towards bridging the gender gap in the transport sector by empowering women with professional driving skills and creating sustainable employment opportunities.”

Farah also stressed that “the role of a professional driver extends beyond operating a vehicle,” noting that drivers should also possess “the knowledge and competence to manage road incidents effectively.”

The Team Leader of the Workbridge Empowerment Foundation, Abdullahi Umar, signed the agreement on behalf of the foundation, while the Director-General/Chief Executive signed on behalf of NITT, assisted by the Registrar of the institute, Maina Tarfa.

Earlier, the Director of the Transport Technology Centre, Joshua Odeleye, delivered the opening remarks, underscoring the significance of the partnership.

Also present at the ceremony were the Director, Transport Research and Intelligence Department, Baba Mundi, the Head of Legal Services, Barr. Davies Job, and other officials.

The statement said the partnership further underscores NITT’s commitment to developing “a highly skilled and safety-conscious driving workforce through world-class driver training, certification and capacity-building programmes.”