NBTE trains 200 Kaduna women in entrepreneurship, vocational skills

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has commenced the training of 200 women in Kaduna State in fashion design, catering and beauty as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. Speaking at the inauguration of the programme in Kaduna, the Executive Secretary of the NBTE, Prof. […]

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has commenced the training of 200 women in Kaduna State in fashion design, catering and beauty as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.

Speaking at the inauguration of the programme in Kaduna, the Executive Secretary of the NBTE, Prof. Idris Muhammad Bugaje, said the initiative was designed to equip women with practical skills that would enable them to become self-reliant and create employment opportunities for others.

Bugaje said Kaduna was selected for the programme because of Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to skills development and technical education.

He said the governor’s investments in modern skills acquisition centres and interventions at the Panteka Market had positioned the state as a model for technical and vocational education.

“The National Board for Technical Education felt we needed to encourage His Excellency and propagate his vision. That is why we are rolling out this Corporate Social Responsibility programme to train 200 young women in Kaduna State,” he said.

According to him, participants will receive practical training in fashion, catering and beauty before being assessed for the Nigerian Skills Qualification (NSQ) certificate.

He urged the trainees to remain committed, explaining that the level of certification they earn would depend on their performance.

“We are not asking you to go and seek government jobs after the training. We want you to become entrepreneurs who will create jobs and contribute to the economy,” Bugaje said.

He added that the programme was deliberately targeted at women because of their important role in families and communities, noting that empowering women would have a lasting impact on society.

Bugaje also disclosed that other state governments had indicated interest in partnering with the NBTE to replicate the initiative, adding that the Board was ready to collaborate with any state committed to skills development.

He commended Kaduna North and Kaduna South local government councils for pledging to provide starter packs to beneficiaries after the training to help them establish businesses.

In his remarks, the Honourary Adviser on Domestic Affairs to Governor Uba Sani, Baba Isa, thanked the NBTE for partnering with the Kaduna State Government and described the collaboration as a major boost to the state’s skills development agenda. He urged participants to make the most of the opportunity and officially declared the programme open on behalf of the governor.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Splendor Skill Academy, Hajiya Zulaiha Muhammad, described the initiative as a transformative programme that would equip women with practical and entrepreneurial skills. She urged participants to remain disciplined and committed, stressing that skills acquisition combined with entrepreneurship could provide lasting economic independence.

Earlier, the Public Relations Officer of the Uba Sani Skills Ambassadors, Aminu Jasawa, said the NBTE’s decision to launch the programme in Kaduna reflected confidence in the state’s commitment to technical education and job creation under Governor Uba Sani.