January 20, 2026
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has approved the training and certification of staff of the Katsina Youth Craft Village (KYCV) as Quality Assurance Assessors (QAA) to strengthen skills development and improve training and certification standards across the state.
The programme, implemented in partnership with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), will train 30 KYCV instructors under the Nigeria Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF). The approval and official flag-off took place at the KYCV Centre in Katsina.
Under the initiative, KYCV is being fully aligned with the Skills and Vocational Training Law and National Occupational Standards through the establishment of a comprehensive quality assurance system involving Quality Assurance Assessors (QAA), Internal Quality Assurance Managers (IQAM) and External Quality Assurance Managers (EQAM).
The framework is designed to ensure standardised assessment, credible certification, accountability and continuous quality improvement across KYCV and its coordinated centres. While assessors will conduct training and generate learner evidence, QAAs will validate assessment tools and decisions and ensure compliance with NSQF standards. IQAMs will independently review processes and produce internal quality assurance reports, while EQAMs will provide external oversight and recommend system-wide improvements.
Commissioner for Higher Education, Hon. Adnan Nahabu
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Hon. Adnan Nahabu, described the initiative as a major milestone in improving the quality of technical and vocational education in Katsina State.
According to him, the programme represents a shift from merely expanding access to skills training to ensuring excellence through strong standards and competent personnel.
“Development and employability depend on strong standards and well-trained personnel, not just buildings and equipment,” he said, adding that quality assurance is critical to protecting the value of certificates and the relevance of skills.
He commended Governor Radda for repositioning KYCV as a centre for youth empowerment and industrial skills, noting ongoing reforms such as NBTE recognition of KYCV as an NSQF training provider, the integration of six Community Skills Development Centres, facility renovations, and the procurement of modern tools and equipment valued at over ₦3.5 billion.
The commissioner also highlighted the growing partnership between the Katsina State Government and NBTE, saying the Board’s regulatory support is helping to align KYCV with national standards.
In his remarks, the KYCV Centre Coordinator, Engr. Kabir Abdullahi Kofar Soro, described the QAA certification training as a landmark achievement for the institution.
He said the programme would provide the human capacity needed to maximise recent investments in infrastructure and equipment, marking a transition to quality-driven training and credible certification.
Engr. Kofar Soro explained that the training would be conducted in phases, including two weeks of intensive instruction, three months of field practice and a final consolidation stage, to ensure effective application of acquired skills.
He thanked Governor Radda for the support and the NBTE for its continued technical guidance, noting that more instructors and quality managers would be trained to strengthen monitoring systems and position KYCV as a national reference point for technical and vocational education excellence.
The QAA certification programme is expected to enhance the quality of training, improve the credibility of assessments and boost the employability of graduates in Katsina State in line with national and international best practices.
