By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Engr. Kiki Ismael and Hon. Mautin Kunnuji |
COTONOU, BENIN REPUBLIC – In an effort to boost for cross-border youth empowerment and vocational development, prominent Badagry native Hon. David Mautin Kunnuji has officially signed an ambassadorial contract with the Centre D’Incubation Entrepreneuriale Et Des Formations Professionnelles (CIEFP) Benin, a premier professional training institution based in Cotonou.
Kunnuji, widely known by his initials DMJ, formalized the partnership on Monday during a high-profile signing ceremony witnessed by the Director-General of the institution, Engr. Kiki Ismael. The strategic alliance is tailored to bridge the skills gap for young Nigerians, creating direct pathways for individuals eager to acquire certified, practical expertise in heavy machinery operation and industrial technical fields.
CIEFP Benin has carved a niche for itself in hands-on professional training, focusing heavily on modern industrial equipment operations such as hydraulic excavators, loaders, and forklifts. These competencies are increasingly vital across booming West African sectors, including commercial construction, logistics, mining, and large-scale materials handling.
Speaking on the partnership, Kunnuji expressed his profound dedication to youth advancement, noting that the collaboration will serve as a reliable bridge for ambitious Nigerians seeking international standard training.
"This partnership is about creating real, sustainable opportunities for our youths," Kunnuji stated. "Unemployment can be drastically tackled through targeted technical education. By bridging the gap between Nigerian talent and specialized regional training institutions, we are equipping our young people with competitive skills that command global relevance."
The institution has announced that its next intake for the Material Handling Equipment Operator Training Course will commence on August 18, 2026. The intensive four-month programme is structurally divided into three months of rigorous practical field training and one month of comprehensive theoretical instruction.
Beyond machine operations, the curriculum incorporates crucial auxiliary modules, including Business English, essential workplace ethics, and tailored French language courses designed specifically to assist English-speaking trainees in navigating regional work environments.
Upon successful completion, graduates are awarded globally recognized credentials, including:
The CQM Certificate of Professional Qualification
An official Certificate of Completion
The CACES Certificate of Aptitude for Safe Driving issued directly by the centre.
This latest appointment adds an inspiring chapter to Kunnuji’s expanding public and professional profile, closely following his prominent run as a leading All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship aspirant in Badagry Local Government earlier in the year. Through his new ambassadorial capacity, Kunnuji is expected to aggressively champion the institution's human capacity development agenda, facilitating seamless access for prospective Nigerian trainees.
Prospective candidates within Nigeria seeking to enrol in the forthcoming academic stream can channel their enquiries through the official helpline at +234 808 611 9608.