By Excellence Oseose
Construction giant, Zeberced Group has disclosed plans to establish a FIFA-approved football academy aimed at discovering, nurturing and developing talented Nigerian children and youths for professional careers in football.
The Managing Director of Zeberced Group, Mr. Adil Aydin Kurt, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, led by its Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, to the company’s facilities at the Abuja Industrial Park Free Zone.
Kurt said the academy would provide young football talents with structured training and opportunities to compete at both national and international levels, adding that the initiative forms part of the company’s broader investment in youth development and human capital.
Beyond sports development, he revealed that Zeberced is also establishing a world-class Technical and Vocational Training School that will train about 2,000 young Nigerians annually in various technical fields, with a long-term target of producing 20,000 skilled graduates.
According to him, the vocational training initiative is expected to create no fewer than 40,000 direct jobs while equipping youths with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
“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,” Kurt said.
He explained that the institution would offer specialised training in Construction Technology, Machine and Design Technology, Motor Vehicle Technology, Plumbing Technology, Metal Technology, Furniture Technology, and Electrical and Electronics Technology.
Reaffirming the company’s confidence in Nigeria’s economic future, Kurt said Zeberced remains committed to long-term investments that will accelerate industrialisation, skills acquisition and job creation.
He also disclosed plans to facilitate the establishment of hundreds of factories within the Idu Industrial Area to boost local manufacturing, create employment and reduce dependence on imported products.
According to him, Zeberced has maintained operations in Nigeria since 2007 and continues to expand its investments across manufacturing, construction, industrial infrastructure and human capital development.
Responding, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, commended the company for its commitment to youth empowerment, sports development and skills acquisition.
She described the proposed football academy and vocational training institution as initiatives that would provide meaningful opportunities for young Nigerians while contributing to national development.
Ike also appealed for the company’s support towards the completion of the Council’s ultra-modern Congress Hall project, noting that the facility would serve as a permanent venue for professional engagements, training programmes and other official activities.
In response, Kurt expressed Zeberced Group’s readiness to support the project, reaffirming the company’s commitment to partnerships that strengthen institutions and promote sustainable socio-economic development.