By Atoyebi Nike
The Kaduna State Government has launched a youth skills development programme to train 12,000 people yearly. The goal is to boost self-reliance and create jobs, especially in the tech and industrial sectors.
Commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology, Patience Fakai, announced the initiative during a briefing at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Wednesday.
She said the state has built three Skills Acquisition Cities in Soba, Rigachikun, and Samaru Kataf. Each centre will offer training in 13 trades, including welding, aluminum work, fashion design, and solar panel installation.
The state is working with the National Board for Technical Education to certify trainees. “Our goal is to help youths become self-employed or get jobs in top companies,” Fakai said.
The government also plans to upgrade Panteka Market into an industrial hub. Over 38,000 artisans there will receive skills certifications. The project includes new ICT centres, roads, a clinic, and a fire station.
Fakai said the ministry held Career Fairs with Jobberman and Mastercard Foundation. These events linked over 300 job seekers to employers. Job Centres have also been opened across the state to help youths find and apply for jobs. “We guide them on writing good CVs and matching jobs to their skills,” she said.
She also noted that 5,100 women have received ICT training under the AREWA LADIES-4-TECH programme, supported by Data Science Nigeria and Google.org. Over 60 have already secured jobs.
UNICEF has trained 500 children in various skills, with starter kits provided. Additionally, 22 children in conflict with the law were trained in shoemaking and barbering.
Kaduna hosted the Nigeria Computer Society Summit and received a national award for broadband expansion. The state also earned praise from the Gates Foundation for its work in AI and digital literacy.
Fakai said Kaduna now offers AI and tech content in Hausa to close the digital gap.
“We are focused on building people. These efforts will boost our economy,” she added.
