Shettima Flags Off NASENI Skill Programme, Says Govt Investing In Nigeria’s Youth
Rashidat O. Okunlade Writes, Lagos
Vice President Kashim Shettima has officially launched a nationwide community empowerment initiative championed by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), declaring that the Federal Government is making a strategic investment in Nigeria’s youth rather than offering handouts.
The programme, which kicked off on Saturday in Kano State, will train over 160 participants across the country’s six geopolitical zones in solar installation and maintenance, mobile phone hardware repairs, and electrical and electronics appliances repairs.
Represented by Musaddiq Mustapha Adamu, Personal Assistant to President Tinubu on Subnational Infrastructure, the Vice President described the initiative as a direct implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda’s priority on job creation and entrepreneurial development.
“Today, NASENI is opening one of those doors. And I want you, every young person in this room, to walk through it with everything you have,” Shettima told the participants. “To the young men and women here today, learn and apply what you’ve learnt. The government is not doing you a favour. It is making an investment, in you, because it believes the return is worth it. Do not prove that belief wrong.”
The flag-off ceremony drew high-profile government officials, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who was represented by Dr. Ibrahim Abdulkadir, Director of General Services Office.
Senator Akume said the training programme is designed to promote innovation for human capital development, engender inclusive economic growth through technology-driven interventions, equip women and youth with relevant skills, and expand entrepreneurship opportunities through digital learning.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to job creation and skills acquisition, pledging full support for programmes that advance Nigerian youths through innovation and entrepreneurship.
“The participants are urged to use the potential benefits of this acquisition training programme to improve their lives, reduce redundancy, and ultimately improve their standard of living,” Akume added.
NASENI’s Vision for Skills Development
In his welcome address, the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of NASENI, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, outlined a comprehensive training curriculum that includes renewable energy, welding and fabrication, mobile phone hardware repairs, and food processing and packaging—skills that directly respond to today’s economy.
Halilu revealed that NASENI is also supporting schools with laptops and STEM innovation kits, emphasising that innovation must start early.
“We must encourage our children to become creators of technology, not just consumers of it,” he said. “To our beneficiaries, I have a simple message: take this opportunity seriously. The future belongs to people with skills. The knowledge you gain here can create businesses, support families, employ others, and contribute to Nigeria’s industrial growth.”
Stakeholders Rally Support
Goodwill messages came from Kano State Governor Abba Ibrahim, represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Yusuf Ismaila Danmaraya; Chairman of the Nigerian Commodity Exchange, Alhaji Dalhatu Abubakar; National Programme Manager of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), Alhajji Hamza Ibrahim Baba; Chairman of ALGON Kano, Hon. Sa’adatu Salisu Yusha’u; and Dr. Gwani Farouk Umar, Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Kano State Chapter.
All stakeholders commended NASENI for the initiative and pledged their support for sustained skills development programmes across the country.
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Rashidat Olushola Okunlade
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