Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has flagged off the construction of a skills development centre by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) in Rigachikun, Kaduna, describing skills acquisition as critical to economic renewal and social inclusion.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking on Monday at the groundbreaking ceremony, Sani said young Nigerians possessed the energy, ambition and ingenuity needed to drive economic growth, but stressed that the government must create an enabling environment for their talents to flourish.
He said his administration had invested in the Kaduna State Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development to expand access to technical and vocational education.
According to the governor, 4,050 graduates from the institute’s campuses in Rigachikun, Soba and Samaru Kataf were celebrated in August after completing training in 14 trades.
The programmes covered electrical installation, aluminium fabrication, solar installation, mechatronics, computer hardware repairs and maintenance, catering and hospitality, and fashion design, among other skills.
Sani said the institute had obtained accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), while its instructors had undergone training as quality assurance assessors and internal quality assurance managers.
He explained that the measures would improve the credibility of assessments and certifications while strengthening employers’ confidence in the competence of graduates.
“Today, we lay the foundation for an institution that will expand opportunity, strengthen productive capacity and prepare our people for the demands of a changing economy,” Sani said.
The governor described the NASENI centre as a complement to the state government’s human capital development programmes, noting that it would equip young people with practical skills to earn livelihoods and contribute to economic growth.
He emphasised that the centre’s effectiveness would depend on its ability to respond to industry needs and provide trainees with the practical competencies employers require.
Sani said the government expected the institute’s programmes to prioritise practical competence, credible certification and clear pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring that the opportunities created by the centre were accessible to all segments of society.
“Access must be integral to that ambition. Women, persons with disabilities and young people in underserved communities must have meaningful opportunities to participate,” he said.
Sani reaffirmed that the Kaduna State Government had provided the required site and remained committed to facilitating the project.
He urged NASENI, the project team and contractors to adhere to approved standards and timelines, stressing that timely construction must be accompanied by adequate preparations for effective operation.
“I urge NASENI, the project team and contractors to uphold agreed standards and timelines. Timely delivery and sound construction must be matched by careful preparation for effective operation,” the governor said.
