Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani
Governor Uba Sani has described Kaduna Polytechnic as a centre of technical excellence that has continued to produce graduates who contribute significantly to industry, public service and national development.
The governor stated this on Saturday during the institution’s 70th anniversary and combined convocation ceremony held at the Tudun Wada Main Campus in Kaduna.
An alumnus of the institution, Uba Sani was conferred with the Polytechnic’s Fellowship Award, which he said was not just a personal honour but a recognition of his administration’s commitment to education, youth empowerment and institutional development.
According to him, no society can attain sustainable development without deliberate investment in knowledge, innovation and technical skills, stressing that technical and vocational education has become critical to industrialisation, agricultural transformation and digital innovation.
The governor said polytechnics must occupy a strategic position in Nigeria’s development agenda because they serve as engines of productivity, enterprise and human capital development.
He disclosed that the Kaduna State Government is currently sponsoring 775 students in various programmes at Kaduna Polytechnic as part of efforts to remove financial barriers and provide opportunities for young people to acquire relevant skills.
Uba Sani further revealed that his administration had established three Institutes of Vocational Training and Skills Development located in Rigachikun, Samaru Kataf and Soba.
According to him, the institutes, which are certified by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), rank among the best-equipped skills development centres in the country and offer specialised training in welding, solar technology, information technology and artificial intelligence.
He said the initiative was aimed at positioning Kaduna State as a national hub of technical excellence while addressing the persistent skills gap affecting local economic growth and industrial productivity.
The governor also said the Panteka Market, regarded as Africa’s largest informal skills hub, had undergone major modernisation under his administration with the provision of modern tools, infrastructure and training facilities aligned with the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework.
He added that the intervention would benefit over 38,000 apprentices by combining traditional craftsmanship with modern production techniques, standardisation and nationally recognised certifications.
Uba Sani further directed immediate steps towards the construction of a new lecture theatre complex within the Polytechnic and promised the rehabilitation of roads within the Main Campus and By-Pass Campus to improve learning conditions for students and staff.
He called on the private sector, development partners, alumni associations and philanthropic organisations to support Kaduna Polytechnic through research funding, infrastructure development and mentorship programmes, stressing that the future of the country depends largely on the quality of institutions built today.
