The Osun State University (UNIOSUN) and Nigeria Machine Tools Limited (NMTL), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster practical engineering education and National Technical capacity.
Mr Ademola Adesoji, the University’s Public Relations Officer, said this in a Statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Osogbo.
Adesoji said the MoU signed during a visit by the management team of NMTL to the University, aimed at establishing a state-of-the-art Engineering Skills Development Centre (ESDC) in Osogbo.
He said that such opportunities would provide hands-on technical training and entrepreneurship development for mechatronics engineering and other engineering students of the university including trainees from across the country.
According to him, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Odunayo Adebooye describe the MoU as “a milestone in bridging the gap between academic theory and industrial practice”.
“The vice-chancellor emphasised the importance of industry-academic collaboration in tackling youth unemployment and enhancing national productivity.
“Also, he said that such becomes paramount for wider interest of the public .”
Also, Mr Alexander Igweze, the Executive Manager of Nigeria Machine Tools, commended the University’s forward-thinking approach which highlighted the significance of aligning academic output with industry demands.
Igweze said a delegation from UNIOSUN had visited NMTL several months ago to assess the institution’s technical infrastructure and explore areas of synergy.
He said such visit led to the formation of a joint committee tasked with drafting the mou and the formal signing which is now completed and the agreement taking immediate effect.
According to him, the Engineering Skills Development Center will serve as a technical and entrepreneurship training hub for students, professionals, and the wider public.
“It is a programme designed to improve employability, encourage self-reliance, and support Nigeria’s economic transformation by nurturing a skilled workforce.
“It reflects our commitment to producing graduates who are not only academically sound but practically skilled and globally competitive,” he said.
He further said that such collaboration underscores Osun University’s expanding influence in the area of practical engineering education, and Nigeria Machine Tools’ pivotal role in industrial workforce development.
Igweze said stakeholders were optimistic that such MoU would become a national model for effective University-Industry partnerships that drives real economic change.
