The Kano State Government has announced the donation of equipment worth N250 million to two community-established skills acquisition centres in Kano Municipal and Gwale Local Government Areas.
The initiative is part of Governor Abba Yusuf’s commitment to boosting youth empowerment and promoting economic development across the state.
The state Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Yusuf Kofarmata, disclosed this on Tuesday while inaugurating the centres.
He explained that the donation comprised 26 pieces of equipment, including advanced leather processing machines and tools, designed to enhance vocational training opportunities for young people.
According to him, the two centres—located in Gwale and Kofarmata—were both community-driven projects with direct links to their initiators.
The Gwale facility, he noted, was constructed by Governor Abba Yusuf himself, given that the area falls within his constituency.
Meanwhile, the Kofarmata skills acquisition centre was facilitated by Dr. Yakubu Adam, a Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
“These centres represent a strong example of partnership between government and community members,” Kofarmata said.
“Governor Yusuf has made it clear that youth empowerment remains a priority of this administration, and this donation reflects his vision to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation.”
The commissioner revealed that 500 young people are expected to benefit from the programme, with 300 participants drawn from Gwale and 200 from Kano Municipal.
Training will focus on leather processing, a craft for which Kano has long held historical significance, alongside other vocational skills aimed at diversifying employment opportunities.
“This intervention aligns with the governor’s economic blueprint to reduce unemployment, curb youth restiveness, and encourage self-reliance,” Kofarmata explained.
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“By equipping young people with practical skills, we are building a stronger workforce capable of driving local industries and contributing to the overall development of Kano State.”
In addition to providing tools, the government has also announced plans to open registration for a new intake of trainees next month.
The Kano Municipal centre will serve communities such as Kofarmata, while the Gwale centre will cater to Dorayi and surrounding districts.
Stakeholders in the communities expressed optimism that the initiative will transform the lives of many youths who previously had limited access to skills training or economic opportunities.
With Kano’s longstanding reputation as a hub of leather craftsmanship, the centres are expected to strengthen the industry’s value chain and create pathways for small businesses to thrive.
Beyond vocational training, officials believe the project will also help address wider social challenges. “When young people are engaged in productive ventures, the risks of crime, unemployment, and social unrest are significantly reduced,” Kofarmata noted.
“This is about more than just leather processing—it is about creating opportunities that secure the future of our youth.”
The commissioner reaffirmed the government’s dedication to sustaining such programmes across all LGAs, assuring residents that the Yusuf administration will continue to invest in skills development, technology innovation, and entrepreneurship as tools for inclusive growth.
