Kaduna Launches Youth Skills Programme To Train 12,000 Annually
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has introduced a major skills acquisition initiative aimed at fostering self-reliance among youth and creating opportunities in the tech and industrial sectors.
Speaking during the state’s quarterly ministerial briefing at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology, Patience Fakai, announced that three "Skills Acquisition Cities" have been established in Soba, Rigachikun, and Samaru Kataf—one in each senatorial zone.
The initiative targets 12,000 youths in its first year and 24,000 by the second, across 13 trade areas including welding, aluminum fabrication, fashion design, and solar panel installation. Certification will be issued in partnership with the National Board for Technical Education.
“This programme is designed to equip our youth for self-employment and to make them attractive to reputable companies,” Fakai said.
She also disclosed plans to transform Panteka Market into an industrial hub, providing training and National Skills Qualification Framework certifications to over 38,000 artisans. Infrastructure upgrades—including ICT facilities, roads, a clinic, and a fire station—are also underway.
In addition, over 300 job seekers have been connected with employers through Career Fairs organized in collaboration with Jobberman and the Mastercard Foundation. Jobberman has established job centres in both the northern and southern zones of the state to guide applicants in job searches and CV writing.
Under the AREWA LADIES-4-TECH programme, 5,100 women have been trained in ICT, with over 60 securing jobs post-training. The state has also collaborated with UNICEF to train 500 children and rehabilitate 22 juveniles through vocational training in shoemaking and barbering.
Highlighting Kaduna’s push for digital innovation, Fakai noted that the state hosted the Nigeria Computer Society Summit and received the National Broadband Alliance Award of Excellence. It also earned commendation from the Gates Foundation for progress in artificial intelligence, including the launch of AI and digital literacy content in Hausa.
“Our focus is on human capital development. These programmes will empower our youth and drive sustainable economic growth in Kaduna State,” she said.
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