In a bold step towards bridging the gap between academic learning and employability, the Kano State Government has inaugurated an eleven-member committee tasked with facilitating skills acquisition programs across state-owned tertiary institutions.
The move is aimed at repositioning education to be more functional, with a strong emphasis on self-reliance and entrepreneurship among graduating students.
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This is contained in a statement by the Press Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government Musa Muhammad, a copy of which was made available to The Punch on Saturday.
According to the statement, the inauguration was presided over by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Farouq Ibrahim, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Research, Evaluation and Political Affairs Directorate of the Cabinet Office, Umar Jalo.
He emphasized the administration’s commitment to equipping youths with practical skills, noting the importance of producing graduates who are job creators rather than job seekers.
Jalo explained that the composition of the committee was deliberately done to include professionals with relevant expertise and experience and urged them to employ their knowledge in developing a practical and implementable framework that can bring lasting impact.
“It is high time we encourage our graduating youths to focus more on becoming self-reliant and less dependent on paper qualifications.
“This initiative is a life-saving one that seeks to empower our young people, who make up a significant portion of our population,” Jalo said.
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He further described the initiative as timely and commended the prompt approval by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, acknowledging the foresight of Dr. Fa’izah Adhama Muktar of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, who conceptualized the idea and has been appointed to chair the committee.
Other members of the committee include
Dr. Sani Muhammad Inuwa, Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Dr. Umar Muhammad Tarauni, Kano State Polytechnic and Dr. Bilyaminu Ado Muhammad, Northwest University, Kano.
Also in the list are Dr. Rabiu Sani Shawai, Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Bilkisu Ado Zubair, Muhammad S. Ibrahim, Dr. Tine Jibrin , Kano State Polytechnic and a Representative from the Ministry of Higher Education.
The committee’s secretariat will be led by Aliyu Muhammad Sani, Director of Research and Evaluation, with Sani A. Abdulkadir, Senior Assistant Secretary from the REPA Directorate, serving as Co-Secretary.
Jalo reminded the committee of the urgent challenges faced by non-skilled graduates, charging them with proposing sustainable schemes that complement formal education.
He emphasized the need to provide options for students to acquire profitable vocational and technical skills even before graduation, as part of the state’s long-term developmental goals.
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In her remarks, the Chairperson, Dr. Fa’izah Adhama Muktar, expressed gratitude to the Governor for the trust reposed in her and pledged her total commitment to delivering on the assignment.
She assured all stakeholders of the committee’s readiness to work diligently and deliver results that will enhance youth empowerment and economic diversification in Kano State.
