By Headlinenews.news Bureau | Kaduna | June 19, 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, today commissioned the newly completed Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development in Riga Chukun, Kaduna State, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s drive for economic inclusion and youth empowerment.
The commissioning, held as part of President Tinubu’s one-day official visit to Kaduna, reflects strong alignment between the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Uba Sani’s bold human capital development strategy.
Empowering a Generation Through Skills
The Institute—strategically located in Riga Chukun and mirrored by similar centers in Soba and Samaru Kataf—is designed to train over 10,000 youths annually in high-demand technical and vocational fields. These include:
Renewable energy installation
ICT and software skills
Welding and fabrication
Fashion and tailoring
Plumbing, electricals, carpentry, and agribusiness
President Tinubu, during the inauguration ceremony, praised the initiative as “a forward-thinking model of sub-national governance that puts people first.”
“Today, Kaduna is not just building infrastructure—it is building futures. This institute will unlock the potential of our youths and prepare them to be job creators, not just job seekers,” the President said.
Governor Uba Sani’s Inclusive Growth Vision
Since assuming office in 2023, Governor Uba Sani, CON, has made human capital development a central pillar of his administration. The commissioning of the Institute marks the operationalization of his campaign promise to create a skilled and productive Kaduna workforce, especially in underserved communities.
The governor reiterated his commitment to tackling youth unemployment—currently at over 30% in Kaduna State—through skills that translate directly into market value and entrepreneurship.
“Our priority is not just education, but empowerment. This institute will ensure that our young men and women can compete in the 21st-century economy,” Uba Sani stated.
Strategic Context: Skills as the New Currency
The Kaduna vocational training model complements national development priorities. Nigeria’s current youth unemployment rate of 33.3% underscores the urgency for technical education reform. By investing in skills infrastructure, Kaduna joins other forward-looking states like Ogun, Ekiti, and Edo in repositioning technical education as a tool for economic transformation.
Experts argue that vocational institutes, when well-funded and professionally managed, offer a faster, more inclusive pathway to job creation than traditional tertiary education models.
Quote of the Day
“This is not just a building—it’s a launchpad for a generation. Kaduna is showing the nation what it means to empower, not just educate.”
— Dr. Gloria Adebajo-Fraser, MFR, Governance & Perception Management Consultant
Conclusion: A Template for National Replication
President Tinubu’s commissioning of the Kaduna Institute of Vocational Training is more than ceremonial—it is a federal endorsement of sub-national innovation. As Nigeria seeks to lift millions out of poverty and transition into a knowledge and production economy, projects like these could become the bedrock of sustainable development.
With Kaduna State leading the charge, the future of youth empowerment in Nigeria may well begin in a classroom—not of theory, but of practical skill and enterprise.
Headlinenews.news Special report
