The Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, has flagged-off a nationwide community empowerment programme in Science, Technology, Skills Acquisition and Renewable energy for youth and women championed by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) in Kano State.
The programme, which commenced on Saturday, 27th July, 2026, will see over 160 participants trained in solar installation and maintenance, mobile phone hardware repairs, electrical appliances and electronics repairs and maintenance across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
The Vice President Shettima, who was represented by the Personal Assistant to President Tinubu on Subnational Infrastructure, Office of the Vice President, Musaddiq Mustapha Adamu, praised NASENI for implementing one of the key priority areas of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on job creation and equipping Nigerians with entrepreneurial skills.
“Today, NASENI is opening one of those doors. And I want every young person in this room to walk through it with everything you have. 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,” he said.
In his speech, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who was represented by the Director, General Services Office, Dr. Ibrahim Abdulkadir, said that the programmes are designed to promote innovations for human capital development, engender inclusive economic growth leveraging technology driven intervention, equip women and youth with relevant skills, and to expand entrepreneurship opportunities through digital learning.
Senator Akume reemphasised the Nigerian Government’s commitment to job creation and skills acquisition commended NASENI for this laudable initiative and promised to give all the necessary support for any programs designed in advancing Nigerian youths through innovations and entrepreneurship, for a knowledge driven economy.
He urged the participants to use the potential benefits of this acquisition training programmes to improve their lives, reduce redundancy and ultimately improve their standard of living.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, said that the participants would receive practical training in renewable energy, welding and fabrication, mobile phone hardware repairs, food processing and packaging, and other skills that respond to today’s economy.
He disclosed that NASENI is also supporting schools with laptops and STEM innovation kits because innovation starts early.
“We must encourage our children to become creators of technology, not just consumers of it. “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,” Halilu added.
GIK/APA