N5.5bn Kano skills centre grounded
Staff of the Kano State–owned Aliko Dangote Ultra-Modern Skills Acquisition Centre say they have gone nearly nine months without salaries despite reporting to duty daily. Many told Daily Trust that the prolonged delay has pushed their families to the brink, with rent, school fees and even basic feeding now difficult to sustain. The centre — […]
Staff of the Kano State–owned Aliko Dangote Ultra-Modern Skills Acquisition Centre say they have gone nearly nine months without salaries despite reporting to duty daily.
Many told Daily Trust that the prolonged delay has pushed their families to the brink, with rent, school fees and even basic feeding now difficult to sustain.
The centre — one of the largest vocational training facilities in Northern Nigeria — was established under former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and named after Africa’s foremost industrialist, Aliko Dangote, in recognition of his support for youth empowerment.
Since commencing operations in 2021, the centre has trained thousands of unemployed youths across 20 trades using modern workshops, laboratories and professional instructors.
Courses include pipe fitting and plumbing, carpentry and joinery, blockwork and concrete works, air conditioning and refrigeration, auto mechanics, electrical installation, ICT and office technology, and catering and hospitality services.
But beyond unpaid salaries, staff allege the centre has suffered neglect under the current administration because it was initiated by Ganduje, who belonged to a different political party.
The state government denies politicising the project, attributing the salary delay to ongoing efforts to restructure and expand student admissions.
A flagship project stalled
The Kano State Government invested about N5.5 billion in the facility, equipping it with modern machines imported from Europe. Originally designed to train 500 youths per cycle, Dangote reportedly advised the government to double intake to 1,000 in response to growing demand.
He also pledged technical expertise, including expatriates, to ensure global standards and smooth operations.
Inaugurated in late 2021, the centre was conceived as a flagship intervention to tackle youth unemployment through a public-private partnership model.
It operates under the Governor’s Office, supervised by the Chief of Staff, and currently has 63 staff members on its payroll.
Funding follows a tripartite structure: the state government provides 35 percent, Dangote 35 percent, while local governments contribute 30 percent.
‘We can barely feed our families’
Aliyu Suraj, who has worked at the centre for four years, said his last salary was paid in May 2025.
“It has become extremely difficult to pay school fees, rent and even buy food. I commute daily to work, but life has become unbearable without salary,” he said.
According to him, staff have written several letters to relevant authorities since November last year and were repeatedly assured that the matter would be resolved.
“Nothing has changed,” he added.
Suraj further alleged that government contributions to the centre stopped after the new administration took office.
“The Governing Board was dissolved and no replacement appointed. That made Dangote halt his contributions since there was no board to provide oversight,” he claimed.
He said apart from directors seconded from the Office of the Head of Service, all directly recruited staff have remained unpaid.
Muhammad Alhassan, who has spent two years at the centre, described it as exceptional in both structure and certification.
“We are National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) certified. Unlike conventional skills centres, we offer competence-based training, and our certificates are internationally recognised.
“No student graduates after six months unless he has mastered the trade. It was designed to remove youths from the streets and curb social vices. Many of our graduates are now self-reliant,” he said.
However, he lamented that admissions were suspended last July and later cancelled.
“We were not given clear reasons. It is a major setback,” he added.
Staff insist the centre is among the few globally certified institutions of its kind in Nigeria, warning that suspending admissions and withholding salaries undermines its founding vision.
“This is not an ordinary training school. It was designed to produce globally competitive artisans and technicians. Allowing it to go idle defeats its purpose,” another staff member said.
‘Still on probation, no pension or promotion’
Another employee disclosed that since recruitment, staff have remained on probation without confirmation of appointment.
“That means no pension, no gratuity, no promotion. We complained to the Head of Service and the SSG and even wrote to the Governor. We were asked to submit our outstanding payment schedule, which we did. Three months later, nothing has happened,” he said.
He alleged political undertones in the centre’s neglect.
“We see the governor pass this road to empower students in other institutes but not here. That is why we suspect the neglect is deliberate. A facility of this magnitude should be strengthened, not sidelined,” he said.
The workers appealed for immediate payment of outstanding salaries, reconstitution of the governing board and resumption of admissions.
“We are only asking to be paid for work done. Restore the board and reopen the school. This centre is too important to abandon,” Suraj said.
Management of the centre attributed the crisis to funding constraints and administrative processes.
The Director of Administration and General Services (DAGS), currently acting head following the resignation of Rabiu Malami Abdullahi, said admissions were suspended as part of a planned expansion.
Previously, the Ministry for Local Government nominated students from across the state’s LGAs. However, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf directed that admissions be broadened through an online application system.
“NBTE is the award body for our NSQF certification and it has strict standards. We submitted requirements for expansion, but bureaucratic procedures have delayed approval. So far, we have graduated over 2,000 students,” he said.
On salaries, he explained that the centre’s establishing law categorises it as self-funded, meaning staff are not mainstream civil servants. Salaries are drawn from internally generated revenue and operational funds.
He added that the tripartite funding model — involving the state government, Dangote and local governments — has stalled due to the absence of a governing council.
He also noted that many staff are skilled craftsmen with independent trades.
“About two-thirds are not reporting presently because the school is not in session. But that does not mean they will not be paid. Similar situations occurred before and were resolved. The government is working to ensure payment,” he said.
‘Issues will be resolved soon’ – Kano govt
Attempts to reach the Chief of Staff, Dr Sulaiman Wani Sani, were unsuccessful. However, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mustapha Muhammad, said the government is addressing the matter.
He explained that the challenges followed a disconnect after the dissolution of the governing council and the resignation of the centre’s head.
“The governor has asked them to document their concerns, and he is working to resolve them.
“The governing council will soon be reconstituted, a new head appointed and normal activities restored. Staff entitlements will be settled,” he said.