KATSINA – In a historic move to deepen youth empowerment, job creation, and economic independence in Katsina State, Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda has presided over the graduation ceremony of 634 young men and women from the Katsina Youth Craft Village (KYCV), offering each of them trade-specific starter packs valued in billions of naira.
The ceremony, held at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina, marked a significant step in the government’s renewed focus on skills acquisition, small business development, and entrepreneurship training. It also signals the transformation of KYCV into a leading technical and vocational education centre in Nigeria.
Governor Radda, in his keynote speech, described the occasion as a “defining moment” for youth empowerment in the state. “Today’s event, the graduation of no fewer than 634 young men and women from the Katsina Youth Craft Village (KYCV), is more than a ceremonial milestone. It is a testament to our shared belief in the power of education, skill acquisition and opportunity as tools for transformation,” the Governor said.
The administration, he explained, has undertaken major reforms to reposition KYCV as a Centre of Excellence in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). These reforms, the Governor outlined, include the creation of a Business Plan and Sustainability Framework, international benchmarking with leading institutions like SENAI in Brazil, and securing accreditation under the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) and ISO standards.
He added that the institution now benefits from upgraded instructor training, modern industry-standard tools following a full equipment audit, and the implementation of an Alumni Engagement Strategy. Also included are a new Monitoring and Evaluation System for quality control and stronger community integration through partnerships.
“True learning must extend beyond the classroom,” the Governor stressed, highlighting partnerships with the Multipurpose Women Centre in Filin Samji, the Groundnut Processing Centre in Kankiya, and a new Furniture Production Initiative for Secondary Schools.
In an ambitious plan for expansion, the Governor also announced that ten new departments will be introduced at KYCV, alongside extensive renovations and facility upgrades. These developments aim to transform the center into a model institution for skills development, digital training, and youth empowerment nationwide.
One of the most notable parts of the event was the distribution of trade-specific starter packs to all 634 graduates – a first in KYCV’s history. The starter packs are designed to help the new graduates immediately launch their own businesses in various fields such as tailoring, catering, ICT, shoemaking, welding, carpentry, GSM repairs, pottery, and leatherwork.
“These starter packs are not mere handouts,” Governor Radda emphasized. “They are instruments of empowerment, designed to catalyze job creation, innovation, and economic independence.”
To ensure responsible use of the starter packs, Governor Radda announced that the state government had put in place strict accountability mechanisms. These include written agreements signed by each graduate’s parent or guardian, robust tracking systems, and involvement of security agencies to monitor usage.
“Let me be very clear, anyone found selling their kit will face appropriate consequences,” the Governor warned. He urged the graduates to be proud ambassadors of Katsina, ready to contribute to their communities as job creators and role models.
The Coordinator of the Katsina Youth Craft Village, Engr. Kabir Abdullahi K/Soro, also addressed the audience, commending the Radda administration for its “visionary and impactful” support.
“Thanks to His Excellency’s leadership, KYCV has been transformed,” he said. “We now operate with modern tools, a stronger workforce, and international recognition. All 634 trainees graduating today were selected purely on merit from every local government area of the state.”
Engr. Kabir revealed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed with a leading skills development institution in Kano to strengthen KYCV’s operational capacity and scale.
“The starter packs will be tracked through a comprehensive monitoring system to ensure they are used to generate maximum community and economic impact,” he added.
Former Governor of Katsina State, Barrister Ibrahim Shehu Shema, who founded KYCV during his administration, was a guest of honor at the event. He praised the Radda administration for its commitment to growing the institution and carrying forward its founding vision.
“I am proud to see this centre thriving,” Shema said. “These graduates are a testament to what we can achieve when leadership is focused and consistent.”
Reflecting on his time in office, Shema recalled student-led innovations, successful collaborations, and the early development of KYCV. He noted that Governor Radda had successfully taken the project to the next level.
“You have not only maintained the vision but expanded it significantly,” Shema told Radda.
The ceremony attracted an impressive array of dignitaries from across the state and beyond. Attendees included Rt. Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura, Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, and several Members of the State Assembly. Also present were Hon. Dr. Isah Musa Kankara, Commissioner for Higher, Technical and Vocational Education; Hon. Aliyu Lawal, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development; Prof. Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE); Dr. Mustapha Shehu, Executive Secretary of the Katsina Technical and Development Monitoring Board (KTDMB); and the State Coordinator of AGILE.
Others in attendance included traditional rulers, representatives of development partners, community leaders, and proud family members of the graduates.
This initiative is expected to create long-term economic value for the state, helping reduce youth unemployment, promoting small-scale enterprises, and reinforcing skills acquisition as a pathway to financial freedom. The program also aligns with high-demand digital skills, entrepreneurship, and vocational education needs, making it a top example of inclusive governance and sustainable economic development.
In line with high CPC keywords such as “entrepreneurship training in Nigeria,” “government youth empowerment programs,” “vocational education,” “technical training opportunities,” and “start a small business in Nigeria,” the Katsina State Government’s effort is a step toward building a robust and self-sustaining youth economy.
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As the graduates prepare to return to their communities armed with new skills and essential startup tools, the spotlight now turns to implementation, accountability, and impact – the true measure of this historic investment in youth development.