Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has praised Kaduna Polytechnic as a cornerstone of technical education, innovation, and entrepreneurial growth, noting that its graduates have significantly impacted industries, public service, and institutional development. Speaking during the polytechnic’s 70th anniversary and combined convocation at the Tudun Wada Main Campus, the governor, an alumnus, received the institution’s Fellowship Award. He described the honor as a testament to his administration’s dedication to educational progress, youth empowerment, and institutional revitalization.
The governor emphasized that his government prioritizes technical education, arguing that sustainable development hinges on deliberate investment in knowledge, skills, and innovation. He stated that polytechnics are not peripheral but central to productivity, enterprise, and human capital formation, especially in a rapidly evolving global economy. He highlighted the sponsorship of 775 students at Kaduna Polytechnic, stressing that this initiative removes financial barriers for talented youth from all backgrounds.
Sani revealed the establishment of three Institutes of Vocational Training and Skills Development in Rigachikun, Samaru Kataf, and Soba. These institutes, certified by the National Board for Technical Education as among the best-equipped skills hubs in Nigeria, offer training in welding, solar technology, IT, and artificial intelligence. He noted that these efforts aim to position Kaduna State as a national center of technical excellence while bridging skills gaps hindering local economic growth.
The governor also discussed the modernization of Panteka Market, Africa’s largest informal skills hub. Now equipped with state-of-the-art tools and facilities aligned with the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework, the market is expected to benefit over 38,000 apprentices by blending traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques and certification. Sani claimed the revamped market surpasses Kenya’s legendary Jua Kali initiative. He directed the construction of a new lecture theater at the polytechnic and announced plans to rehabilitate access roads on both main and bypass campuses.
Calling for increased support from the private sector, development partners, alumni, and philanthropists, Sani urged endowments, research funding, infrastructure partnerships, and mentorship programs. He concluded that the nation’s future depends on the quality of institutions built today.