In a move aimed at tackling unemployment and promoting self-reliance, the Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District, Rufa’i Sani Hanga, has sponsored the training of 200 constituents across 15 local government areas in shoemaking, with each participant also receiving start-up grants to begin their journey as entrepreneurs.
The three-day intensive training, organised in partnership with the Border Communities Development Agency, was rounded off with a closing ceremony held at the senator’s Sokoto Road office in Kano. Participants were equipped not only with practical shoemaking knowledge but also with the tools and financial resources to immediately put their skills to work.
Speaking at the event, the senator charged the beneficiaries to maximise the skills they had acquired by connecting with mentors and building networks of customers. He highlighted the opportunities in both local and cross-border markets, noting that neighbouring countries such as Cameroon and Niger Republic hold strong demand for leather and footwear products.
According to him, vocational skills remain one of the most sustainable solutions to joblessness in Nigeria, often yielding greater returns than salaried employment when diligently applied. “With consistency and professionalism, shoemaking can earn you more than a monthly salary. It is a trade with local and international demand,” he told participants.
He further assured the trainees of continuous patronage and support from his office, stressing that empowering them to become professionals would, in turn, help others in their communities. He encouraged them to pass down the knowledge to peers as part of a collective effort to address youth unemployment across the country.
Beneficiaries shared their appreciation for the programme. Abdullahi Muhammad from Gwale Veterinary described the initiative as a timely intervention that would help young people achieve self-reliance, while Salamatu Isa from Goron Dutse, Yelwa, noted that the training was made practical and accessible through the provision of shoemaking materials such as gum, needles, threads, cushions, and scissors.
Beyond the training, participants also received financial support to ease their transition into business. Each attendee was paid N5,000 daily throughout the three-day training, and an additional N25,000 grant alongside a certificate of participation at the closing ceremony. This combination of skills and seed funding is expected to reduce the common barrier of start-up capital that many young artisans face.
The event was well attended by dignitaries, including the Chairman of Kano NNPP, Hashimu Dungurawa, government officials, and community leaders who lauded the senator’s efforts.
Observers believe that initiatives like this could play a crucial role in reducing the unemployment rate in Nigeria, particularly in the North, where youth populations are high and job opportunities limited. Kano, being a historic centre of commerce and leatherwork, is seen as a fertile ground for such programmes, with the potential to revive local industries, stimulate small-scale enterprises, and expand Nigeria’s share of the regional footwear market.
Analysts also note that small-scale interventions in vocational training, when coupled with market access, can create ripple effects across the economy; supporting livelihoods, reducing crime linked to joblessness, and boosting export potential. For many of the trainees, the programme represents not only an opportunity to earn but also a pathway to dignity and independence.
As the graduates return to their communities armed with both tools and training, the expectation is that this initiative will not end with 200 people but will multiply, as beneficiaries train others and grow their small businesses into enterprises that contribute to Kano’s economy and beyond.
