The Kano State Government has announced a comprehensive skills acquisition programme designed to empower 50,000 youths with practical vocational skills across various trades, the state’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Alhaji Abdulahi Gwarzo, said on Sunday in Kano.
The initiative aims to reduce youth unemployment and enhance economic participation through structured training and certification.
Gwarzo said the programme will provide training in multiple areas, including fashion and design, catering and culinary arts, ICT, and other market‑driven skills, with emphasis on preparing participants for both employment and self‑employment opportunities.
The scheme is set to be rolled out in phases across the state to ensure broad access and effective delivery.
The commissioner explained that the initiative is part of the state government’s broader effort to address youth unemployment and underemployment, noting that equipping young people with relevant technical skills will improve their competitiveness in Nigeria’s labour market.
He also called on private sector partners to collaborate with the government in facilitating mentorship, placement and startup support for graduates of the programme.
According to Gwarzo, the programme has been designed to align with current industry demands and incorporate entrepreneurship components, aimed at encouraging participants to translate skills into viable businesses.
He added that graduates will receive certification upon completion, which could enhance their employability and access to credit facilities for business start‑ups.
The state government also reaffirmed its commitment to creating a conducive environment for youth development, saying the programme will complement other interventions targeted at education, innovation and job creation.
Gwarzo said that monitoring and evaluation mechanisms will be put in place to assess the impact of the training on participants and the wider economy.
Youth groups and civil society organisations in Kano have welcomed the announcement, describing the initiative as timely given persistent challenges in youth employment and economic inclusion.
Several stakeholders highlighted the need for sustained support beyond training, including access to start‑up capital, market linkages and ongoing mentorship.
The programme’s rollout is expected to commence in the coming weeks, with registration details to be announced by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in due course. Officials said that participants will be selected through transparent criteria to ensure fairness and wide representation across Kano’s local government areas.
The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts by Nigerian states to develop youth‑centric programmes that bridge the gap between formal education and the skills required for productive engagement in the labour market.
