The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, has empowered 100 youths from Gaya, Ajingi and Albasu Local Government Areas of Kano State with tailoring equipment.

The materials were distributed to the beneficiaries after completing a six-week intensive training programme funded by the agency.

The beneficiaries, comprising men and women, were trained in tailoring services and provided with start-up materials to enable them to start the businesses immediately.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the training in Gaya Local Government on Friday, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Khalil Halilu, said the programme was designed to equip young people with practical skills for self-reliance.

Represented by the agency’s Director of Finance, Muhammad Al-Hassan, Mr Halilu said NASENI’s mandate went beyond providing machines and technical infrastructure, stressing that human capital remained central to Nigeria’s industrial and economic development.

According to him, tailoring should not be viewed merely as a craft, but as a pathway to self-employment, income generation and economic independence.

“Beyond machines, laboratories and technical infrastructure, we recognise that the true engine of development is people. It is human capital, skills and power that ultimately drive innovation and self-reliance,” he said.

“Tailoring is not just merely a craft; it is an enterprise. It is a pathway to self-employment, to income generation and to economic independence, particularly for our youths and women who continue to face significant barriers to formal employment,” Mr Halilu said.

He explained that the 100 beneficiaries had received both theoretical and practical training, as well as start-up equipment to enable them put their skills into practice.

“We are not only handing you a certificate of completion; we are providing you with start-up empowerment materials, the tools of your trade, so that you can begin practising immediately without the burden of seeking capital you may not readily have,” he said.

Halilu urged the beneficiaries to make effective use of the equipment and consider themselves future entrepreneurs and employers.

“What you have been given is not merely equipment; it is an opportunity. The sewing machine in front of you can be the beginning of a small business, a source of livelihood for your family and, in time, a source of employment for others in your community,” he said.

He also advised them to form cooperatives or support groups to strengthen their businesses through collective sourcing of materials, sharing of customers and mutual support.

“Training without tools is incomplete, and tools without training are wasted. Today, you leave with both,” he said.

In his remarks, the chairman of Gaya Local Government, Mahmud Tajo-Gaya, described the programme as significant, noting that it would help address unemployment and improve the socio-economic wellbeing of youths and women in the area.

“The significance of this programme cannot be overemphasised because most of our socio-economic living standards are below average. We have a lot of youths who are neither employed by government nor non-governmental organisations,” he said.

According to him, empowering youths and women with vocational skills would make them self-reliant and contribute to reducing crime in the communities.

He added that the local government had also placed emphasis on empowerment initiatives, alongside education, healthcare and other socio-economic programmes.

Also speaking, the Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Dr Aliyu Abdulkadir, expressed appreciation to NASENI and the Federal Government for bringing the programme to the emirate.

He said the initiative was initially targeted at Gaya but was expanded to include Ajingi and Albasu to benefit more youths.

“We thank NASENI for bringing this programme of empowerment. After it came, we sat down and felt it was appropriate to bring Ajingi and Albasu into it,” the emir said.

He urged the beneficiaries to use the equipment for the purpose for which they were provided and warned them against selling the items.

“We are calling on these youths not to sell whatever they have been given. You must use them to engage in the business for your own benefit,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Bashir Sani from Gaya Local Government Area, thanked NASENI for providing them with the training and equipment.

“We learnt tailoring, and even within six days, we were able to sew the clothes we are wearing,” Mr Bashir said.