By Hussaini Ibrahim Sulaiman
The Dangote Skills Acquisition Centre in Kano State has successfully graduated its first batch of 239 students. These graduates completed a rigorous six-month training program, gaining valuable skills in 15 different trades.
The Centre, which admitted 310 students from all 44 local government areas of the state in March 2023, has achieved a significant milestone in its mission to empower young people through skills development.
At the graduation ceremony, the Centre’s Coordinator, Hon. Alkasim Hussaini Wudil, shared that the Centre is also celebrating the deployment of another group of students undergoing Student Industrial Training (SIT).
According to him, the students are now participating in the Student Industrial Experience Scheme (SIWES), where they receive training in 16 departments, including Computer Hardware Engineering, Plumbing, Welding and Fabrication, Solar Electrical Installation, among others.
Hon. Wudil further mentioned that the students had also completed training under the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) for over four months.
Initially, the Centre admitted 489 students for industrial training, and about 424 of them are now going for a two-month attachment. The Centre plans to expand its course offerings, acquire additional tools and equipment, and provide extra lessons to engage more youths in skills training.
In an interview, one of the graduates, Mohammed Alhassan, from the Department of Global Energy, shared that he has been in the trade for over 15 years.
However, after joining the Centre, he learned many new things, including Occupational Health and Safety, and its positive impact. He noted that the training has significantly improved his perspective on his profession.
Another graduate, Maryam Ahmad Shitu, expressed that the training had transformed her life entirely. She emphasized that the program equipped them with skills that helped them better utilize their potentials.
The Aliko Dangote Ultra-Modern Skills Centre, owned by the state government, reflects the commitment of Kano State Governor Alhaji Abba Kabu Yusuf to empowering youths with various skills, enabling them to become more self-reliant and productive members of society.
