The Kaduna model is capable of lifting millions out of poverty,contends ABUBARKA SALAU
When Vice President Kashim Shettima rose to speak at the 7th meeting of the National Council on Skills (NCS) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, his words carried more than usual commendation. He singled out Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for launching Nigeria’s first State Council on Skills, describing it as a groundbreaking innovation that could become a template for the entire nation. For Shettima, Kaduna’s initiative is not just about training artisans or creating jobs, it aptly represents a visionary step in building a future-ready workforce, a crucial element in delivering on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Governor Uba Sani’s decision to establish and chair the Kaduna State Council on Skills is already attracting national and international attention and accolades. The Council is designed as a multi-stakeholder platform that brings together government agencies, the private sector, academia, and development partners to coordinate training and re-skilling initiatives. According to the vice president, this integrated approach is exactly what Nigeria needs to close its skills deficit and prepare its youth for the jobs of the future. “The era of operating in silos is over. We must embed collaboration into curriculum development and funding. This is about the artisan in Kaura Namoda, the mid-career worker in Ebute-Metta, and the technical colleges that must become true centres of excellence,” the Vice President declared. Kaduna’s leadership in this space is already yielding tangible results. More than 30,000 students have been admitted into the Kaduna Vocational and Skills Development Institute, where they are being trained in trades and skills that match the demands of the 21st-century economy. Governor Sani has consistently argued that the greatest asset of any society is its people.
His focus on human capital development reflects this conviction. By prioritizing vocational training and skills acquisition, Kaduna is not only addressing unemployment but also redefining education itself. The goal is to produce not just certificate holders but problem solvers, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Vice President Shettima made this point clear in Abuja, stressing that skills development is central to the administration’s covenant with Nigerians. “The skills revolution is not an option but a necessity,” he said, urging other states to replicate Kaduna’s bold experiment. Kaduna’s model is beyond a policy statement, it is being implemented with urgency. The following are the urgent steps to achieve the remarkable goal: Kaduna Vocational and Skills Development Institute, established as the flagship, offers specialized training across multiple sectors, from ICT and renewable energy to agriculture, construction, and healthcare. In collaborating with the private sector, the Council ensures industries are at the table when training programs are designed, guaranteeing that graduates acquire relevant, marketable skills.
Also, inclusivity is another winning strategy, women and youth from disadvantaged communities are being prioritized, ensuring the skills revolution benefits those who need it most. Above all, linking skills to job creation is also in the mix. The state government is working with partners to connect trainees directly to industries, thereby turning training into employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. The clear vision and pragmatic steps envisioned to drive the initiative, made the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, praised Kaduna’s pioneering efforts, linking them to President Tinubu’s broader vision of repositioning technical and vocational education. He revealed that technical colleges across Nigeria are being restructured to focus on relevant courses and equip students with employable skills. In his words, Governor Sani’s leadership is “proof that states can serve as laboratories of innovation in education and workforce development.” Nigeria’s unemployment and underemployment challenges are well documented.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) estimates that millions of young people enter the labour market every year, but many lack the skills required to thrive in today’s dynamic economy.Kashim Shettima warned that the country cannot afford to continue with fragmented approaches. “We cannot build a future-ready workforce on a foundation of division,” he cautioned, urging all stakeholders to rally behind a single, coherent framework for skills development. Kaduna, by establishing the first State Skills Council, is showing the way. The success of Kaduna’s initiative can already be measured in the lives it is changing. Amina, 21, from Southern Kaduna, once struggled to find work after secondary school.
Through the Institute, she trained in solar panel installation. Today, she is employed by a renewable energy company in Kaduna city and is also mentoring other young women. Ibrahim, 29, a mechanic from Zaria, upgraded his knowledge through autodiagnostic training offered at the Institute. He now runs a thriving workshop servicing modern vehicles and has hired two apprentices. These stories reflect what Shettima described as “the true dividends of democracy, empowering people with the means to live dignified, productive lives.” Uba Sani has repeatedly emphasized that his administration is guided by fairness, equity, and justice. The skills programs are deliberately spread across Kaduna’s senatorial districts, ensuring no community is left behind. This inclusive philosophy resonates strongly in a diverse state like Kaduna, which has often been in the news for security and ethnic tensions. By creating opportunities for all, the governor is using skills as a bridge of peace and prosperity.
Kaduna’s boldness is also drawing international partners. Development agencies have expressed interest in supporting the Skills Council, seeing it as a model for public-private collaboration. Vice President Shettima hinted that Kaduna’s framework could be adopted at the federal level, creating a synergy that aligns local training with national needs. At the heart of Kaduna’s initiative is a belief that skills are the currency of the future. Degrees may open doors, but skills keep people relevant in a rapidly changing economy. Governor Sani, by establishing Nigeria’s first State Council on Skills, has not only positioned Kaduna as a national leader but has also ignited a conversation that could reshape Nigeria’s development trajectory. Shettima’s call to other governors was clear: “Follow Kaduna’s lead.” If states embrace this model, Nigeria could build a workforce capable of competing globally, lifting millions out of poverty, and unlocking the nation’s full potential. For now, Kaduna stands tall as the laboratory of innovation, a state where the future of work is not just being imagined but is already being built.
Salau writes from Kaduna
