The Kano State Government has announced plans to train at least 50,000 youths across the state in 2026 as part of its renewed efforts to tackle unemployment, reduce poverty, and promote economic self-reliance through skills development.
Governor Abba Yusuf disclosed this on Sunday during the distribution of empowerment packages to 2,260 graduates of eight state-owned entrepreneurship and skills acquisition institutes at the Government House in Kano.
According to a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Dawakin Tofa, the initiative is designed to equip young people with practical, market-relevant skills that will enable them to create livelihoods, start small businesses, and contribute meaningfully to the state’s economy.
Speaking at the event, Governor Yusuf said the program aligns with his administration’s commitment to building a skilled and self-reliant youth population capable of driving sustainable economic development.
“Our goal is to empower young people with the skills and opportunities they need to stand on their own, earn a living, and contribute meaningfully to the growth of Kano State,” the governor said.
He explained that the large-scale training plan forms part of a broader strategy to address unemployment, youth restiveness, and economic vulnerability across communities, noting that skills acquisition remains one of the most effective tools for inclusive growth.
Yusuf further assured residents that his government would continue to invest heavily in youth-focused empowerment programs as a long-term approach to securing Kano’s economic future.
“We are committed to investing in our youths because they are the backbone of our development agenda and the future of this state,” he added.
The planned 2026 training program will complement existing empowerment initiatives already underway in Kano, particularly those targeting entrepreneurship, digital skills, and small business development.
In a related effort, PUNCH Online previously reported that the Kano State Information Technology Development Agency (KASITDA) is partnering with the KALM Community Initiative, a non-governmental organization, to empower 1.5 million youths with digital literacy and technology skills between 2025 and 2027.
Director-General of the agency, Dr Bashir-Abdu Muzakkari, said the program is anchored on the Kano State Digital Economic Policy and Digital Transformation Agenda, which aims to prepare youths for opportunities in the digital economy.
“These cohorts would become digitally literate at the basic, intermediate, and expert levels,” Muzakkari said, adding that 150,000 youths have already been engaged under a pilot phase of the initiative.
With these combined interventions, the Kano State Government is positioning skills development, entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion as key drivers of job creation and MSME growth across the state.
