By Dahiru Suleiman, Dutse

The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Moruf Olatunji Alausa, has commended Governor Umar Namadi for what he described as a remarkable investment in human capital development in Jigawa State, saying the Governor is equipping young people with practical skills needed by Nigeria and the global economy.

Dr. Moruf Olatunji Alausa made the remarks in Dutse after he and the minister of state for education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, conducted an inspection tour of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Multi-Purpose Skills Acquisition Centre and the Renewed Hope Technical Services Centre in Limawa, at the outskirts of Dutse city.

 

The visit followed the graduation of 928 youths trained in emerging technologies under the World Bank-assisted Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project, coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Education and facilitated by Baze University, Abuja.

 

Speaking after inspecting the facilities, Dr Alausa described what he saw as “extremely impressive”, saying that Governor Namadi had demonstrated exceptional commitment to building human capital through sustained investment in technical and vocational education.

 

“When you have a governor who understands how to build human capital, you see the kind of commitment Governor Umar Namadi has demonstrated. He is exceptional in this regard,” the minister said.

 

He observed that the training centres were providing young people with practical, industry-relevant skills capable of creating employment opportunities, promoting entrepreneurship and supporting national economic development.

 

“When these students complete their training, they already possess employable skills. Beyond theoretical instruction, they spend a significant part of their time acquiring practical competencies that prepare them for the workplace and for entrepreneurship.

 

“This is what human capital development is all about. Skills are the present, and they are the future.”

 

The minister expressed satisfaction with the quality of facilities and practical training taking place at the centres, including welding and fabrication, garment production and the construction of portable housing units.

 

He particularly commended the initiative through which school uniforms used in Jigawa public schools are produced locally by trainees, describing it as a practical example of building a sustainable value chain while creating opportunities for young people.

 

“Governor Umar Namadi is investing in the future by creating opportunities for the young people of Jigawa State and equipping them with the skills they need to succeed. I can honestly say that I do not have a crystal ball, but what I have seen in Jigawa today is simply mind-blowing.

 

“This governor genuinely cares about his people. Beyond constructing physical infrastructure, he is investing in the most valuable asset that any society or nation can possess—its people. He is building real human capital by providing practical, industry-relevant skills that Nigeria and the global economy require. This is a wonderful accomplishment.”

 

Dr Alausa said the Federal Government has placed Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) at the centre of education reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that education remains the foundation for building a productive economy.

 

“The President believes in human capital. He believes in the youth of this country, and he has mandated us, as Ministers, to do everything humanly possible to ensure that every child in Nigeria receives the highest quality of education comparable to what is obtainable anywhere in the world. Beyond providing education, he wants us to equip our young people with practical life skills.”

 

The minister praised Governor Namadi for complementing physical infrastructure with deliberate investment in people, describing human capital as the most valuable asset of any nation.

 

“Here in Jigawa, you can clearly see what Governor Umar Namadi has accomplished. You can see the impressive infrastructure that has been developed. But beyond physical infrastructure, what is even more important is the deliberate investment in human capital development.”

 

Commenting on the inspection visit, Governor Namadi said the facilities were intended to showcase Jigawa State’s deliberate investment in technical and vocational education as part of broader efforts to complement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s human capital development agenda.

 

“We believe that what we are doing here in Jigawa State complements the efforts of Mr President. The Honourable Minister of Education, under his leadership of the Ministry, is driving Mr President’s agenda in the areas of human capital development and technical skills acquisition,” he said.

 

He stated that inviting the ministers to inspect the facilities would provide them with the opportunity to assess the state’s progress firsthand.

 

“We therefore considered it important to invite him to come and see what we are doing. We are delighted that the Honourable Minister is pleased with what he has seen and has also acknowledged that our efforts are in line with the agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. (edited)