By our Correspondent
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, declaring that skills development remains the cornerstone of sustainable economic growth. He made the remarks on Wednesday in Katsina while commemorating the 2026 World Youth Skills Day.
Speaking against the backdrop of this year’s global theme, “Skills for a Shared Future,” Governor Radda stressed the imperative of equipping young Nigerians with technical, digital, green, and social competencies to thrive in an increasingly dynamic global economy. He noted that skilled youths are not only employable but also serve as catalysts for job creation, enterprise development, and intergenerational poverty alleviation.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kaula Mohammed, the Governor highlighted the significant strides recorded in 2026 by the Katsina Youth Craft Village (KYCV), positioning the state as a frontrunner in Nigeria’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) landscape.
According to the Governor, KYCV achieved several regulatory and quality assurance milestones this year, including the training and certification of 40 instructors as Quality Assurance Assessors. Additionally, five former COSDEC centres have received official recognition from the Federal Ministry of Education as accredited skills training institutions under the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).
Governor Radda further disclosed that KYCV has developed comprehensive TV training manuals for 29 distinct trades, aligning with the NSQF and National Occupational Standards. The initiative has drawn high praise from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), with its Executive Secretary describing the manuals as a benchmark model worthy of adoption by other training institutions across the country.
“This ensures that our graduates are trained to the same standard as their counterparts anywhere in Nigeria,” Radda stated.
Emphasising a paradigm shift in pedagogical approach, the Governor noted that Katsina State has transitioned to competency-based training, prioritising hands-on experience over theoretical instruction alone. “Too many graduates cannot do the jobs they were trained for. We are changing that in Katsina. Our young people train on real equipment, learn real skills, and graduate ready to work,” he said.
In a bid to foster innovation, the KYCV has established a dedicated Innovation Department, where trainees engage in research, product development, and digital fabrication. The state is also partnering with Maglush Electric Vehicles to build local capacity in electric vehicle technology, a move aligned with global trends toward green energy and sustainable mobility.
On the employment front, Governor Radda underscored a strategic pivot toward entrepreneurship development and private-sector collaboration, ensuring that graduates have viable pathways to meaningful livelihoods. “Training is good, but young people need jobs. That is why we are pushing entrepreneurship and working with government agencies and private organisations to create pathways for our graduates,” he emphasised.
Currently, thousands of youths are undergoing skills training across a wide range of trades at KYCV’s three main campuses and five additional skills training centres spread across the state.
Reiterating his administration’s long-term vision, Governor Radda affirmed that Katsina will continue to prioritise skills development as a driver of industrialisation and sustainable development. He joined the global community in celebrating World Youth Skills Day 2026 and pledged to sustain efforts aimed at building a highly skilled, self-reliant, and globally competitive workforce for a shared and prosperous future. (GSF)
