…Unveil FIFA-Approved Football Academy
Zeberced Group has announced plans to train 2000 Nigerians in technical and vocational skills while creating 40,000 direct jobs, in what it described as one of the largest industrial empowerment initiatives in West Africa.
The company also disclosed its intention to establish a FIFA-approved football academy aimed at discovering and nurturing young talents for local and international opportunities.
The Managing Director of Zeberced Group, Adil Aydin Kurt, made this known during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council, led by its Chairman, Grace Ike, to the company’s facility at the Abuja Industrial Park Free Zone.
Kurt revealed that the proposed Technical and Vocational Training School would admit about 2,000 trainees annually, with projections to produce 20,000 skilled graduates over time.
He said the initiative would also generate about 40,000 direct jobs, describing it as a transformative project targeted at tackling unemployment and boosting Nigeria’s industrial workforce.
“Zeberced is currently working on a vocational training school which will offer training in various fields to young Nigerians and, in the process, provide 40,000 direct jobs. This is going to be a sample project and is presently the biggest operation of its kind in West Africa,” he said.
According to him, the institution will offer specialised training in construction technology, machine and design technology, motor vehicle technology, plumbing, metal works, furniture production, as well as electrical and electronics technology.
Kurt noted that the school is designed to equip young Nigerians with practical and industry-relevant skills to enhance employability, entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
Reaffirming the company’s commitment to Nigeria, he said, “We are very serious about our work. I have many ideas and visions to share. We need to bring qualified people from different parts of the world to Nigeria because the future is Africa.”
Beyond vocational training, Kurt disclosed that the group is also developing a FIFA-approved football academy to groom children and youths for professional careers.
He added that the company operates what he described as Africa’s first integrated mining quarry, while expanding investments across manufacturing, construction and other sectors.
Kurt further stated that Zeberced plans to facilitate the establishment of hundreds of factories within the Idu Industrial Area to boost local production and reduce dependence on imports.
He explained that although the industrial project, which began about 15 years ago, had faced challenges, it has continued to progress steadily.
“Our investments in manufacturing, furniture, plastics and related industries, supported by modern infrastructure, will contribute significantly to Nigeria’s industrial transformation,” he added.
Responding, the NUJ FCT Chairman, Grace Ike, commended the company’s commitment to youth empowerment and economic development.
She described the initiative as timely, noting that it would help address unemployment and promote self-reliance among Nigerian youths.
Ike also appealed for support towards the completion of the NUJ FCT ultra-modern Congress Hall, which she said had reached the decking stage.
In his response, Kurt expressed willingness to support the project, reaffirming Zeberced’s commitment to partnerships that drive national development.
Both parties expressed optimism about building a strategic relationship to promote industrial growth, capacity building and sustainable socio-economic development.
Zeberced Group has operated in Nigeria since 2007, with investments spanning manufacturing, construction, industrial infrastructure and human capital development.