The Southern Kaduna Aid Foundation (SKAID) has rolled out a two-month skill acquisition programme aimed at empowering 50 youths across the region’s 12 local government areas with practical, market-driven skills. The initiative, which commenced in Zonzon, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area on Monday, is part of a larger strategy to tackle youth unemployment and deepen economic resilience across Southern Kaduna communities.
Participants in the programme will undergo intensive training in four vocational areas: solar installation, welding and fabrication, electrical and electronics repair, and beauty care. These areas were carefully selected based on current demand, with the intention of equipping the trainees to either start their own ventures or plug into existing service gaps within their localities.
The Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, a retired Rear Admiral, who officially inaugurated the programme, described it as a practical response to the rising unemployment and dependence on handouts that plague many rural communities. He emphasised that the programme is not merely about skills transfer, but about empowering young people to chart a new course for themselves and their communities.
“Too many of our youths are dependent on relatives, government, or luck,” he said. “This programme is about changing that mindset—about creating job creators, not job seekers. But it starts with discipline, focus, and commitment.”
He further warned beneficiaries not to misuse the starter packs they will receive at the end of the training, stressing that past cases of participants selling off their support tools undermined the foundation’s mission and discouraged future interventions.
The Executive Director of SKAID, in his remarks, said the programme is part of the foundation’s long-term goal of building sustainable economic ecosystems in underserved areas. He noted that the selected skills have both local relevance and potential for scale, especially as the demand for renewable energy and skilled technicians continues to rise.
“The problem isn’t that there are no opportunities, it’s that there are too few people with the right skills to take advantage of them,” he said. “With this initiative, we are trying to flip that dynamic.”
Community leaders and stakeholders also welcomed the intervention. The village head of Zonzon described the programme as a timely and impactful initiative that could change the economic trajectory of many families. He urged participants to maximise the rare opportunity and serve as examples for others.
Some of the beneficiaries shared their excitement and gratitude, describing the programme as a turning point in their lives. One of them, a young man from Kachia, said he had struggled to find meaningful employment since finishing secondary school but believes this training will give him a second chance.
Beyond the current batch, SKAID hinted at plans to expand the programme to reach more youths across Southern Kaduna, particularly those in hard-to-reach and conflict-affected communities. The foundation also aims to build a mentorship network that will support beneficiaries post-training and help them grow their new businesses.
As insecurity, underdevelopment, and joblessness continue to challenge many parts of Nigeria, initiatives like this highlight the growing role of local foundations in bridging gaps left by government and driving grassroots development from within.
