KATSINA — The Katsina State Government, in partnership with Family Homes Funds Limited, has graduated 500 artisans under a skills acquisition programme aimed at tackling unemployment and promoting youth empowerment across the state.
The beneficiaries were trained in various construction-related trades, including masonry, carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation, tiling, and painting.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony held at the People’s Square, Government House, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda said the programme reflects the administration’s commitment to human capital development and economic inclusion.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda
Radda disclosed that although the initiative was initially designed for 150 beneficiaries per state, Katsina expanded participation to 500 trainees to maximise opportunities for youths.
“In a rapidly changing world, formal education alone is not sufficient. We must invest in vocational and technical training that empowers our youth to compete and succeed,” the governor said.
He urged the graduates to embrace entrepreneurship and become employers of labour rather than job seekers, while assuring that the state government would continue investing in skills acquisition and job creation initiatives.
The governor also called on contractors and private sector operators to engage the trained artisans in ongoing infrastructure and housing projects within the state.
Arch. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa
Former Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, described the programme as a major intervention aimed at addressing the skills gap in Nigeria’s construction sector.
According to him, the initiative combined classroom learning, practical training, starter toolkits, certification under the National Skills Qualification Framework, and business mentorship.
Dangiwa added that beneficiaries received monthly stipends of ₦60,000 funded by the African Development Bank under the Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
He further announced a ₦5 million reward package for outstanding graduates, including prizes for the best male and female artisans in selected trades.
Abdulmuttalab Mukhtar
Managing Director of Family Homes Funds Limited, Abdulmuttalab Mukhtar, said the programme was designed to promote sustainable livelihoods and strengthen local capacity in the housing sector.
Representatives of COSMOS Residential City Nigeria Limited also confirmed plans to engage all 500 trained artisans as part of a ₦155 billion housing project earlier signed with the state government.
The project involves the construction of 3,750 Aqua-Agro housing units in Kankia and Charanchi local government areas, with each unit designed to include fish farming and vegetable gardens to support self-reliance and food security.
The event was attended by senior government officials, members of the State Executive Council, lawmakers, and local government chairmen.
