The Kano State Government has announced plans to train no fewer than 50,000 youths across the state in 2026 as part of efforts to curb unemployment and promote economic self-reliance.
Governor Abba Yusuf disclosed this on Sunday during the distribution of empowerment packages to 2,260 graduates of eight entrepreneurship skills institutes at the Government House, Kano.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Dawakin Tofa, the initiative is aimed at equipping young people with practical skills to enable them to become productive contributors to the state’s economy.
Speaking at the event, Yusuf said the programme was designed to build a skilled and self-reliant youth population capable of driving sustainable development.
“Our goal is to empower young people with the skills and opportunities they need to stand on their own, earn a living and contribute meaningfully to the growth of Kano State,” the governor said.
He added that the initiative formed part of his administration’s broader strategy to combat poverty, unemployment and youth restiveness across communities in the state.
Yusuf further assured that his government would continue to make substantial investments in youth empowerment as a long-term strategy for securing the future of the next generation.
“We are committed to investing in our youths because they are the backbone of our development agenda and the future of this state,” he said.
The governor noted that the planned training would complement ongoing empowerment programmes being implemented by the state government to promote inclusive economic growth and social development.
PUNCH Online reported in August that the Kano State Information Technology Development Agency will partner with the KALM Community Initiative, an NGO, to empower 1.5 million youths with digital literacy and skills, aiming to reduce unemployment and harness economic productivity.
Director-General of the Agency, Dr Bashir-Abdu Muzakkari, disclosed that the ‘Kano State Digital Economic Policy and Digital Transformation Agenda’ targets 1.5 million youths to become digitally literate between 2025 and 2027
He said, “These cohorts would become digitally literate at the basic, intermediate, and expert levels,” adding that of the 1.5 million target, 150,000 youths were engaged as a pilot scheme of the initiative.
