National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has launched a nationwide Community Empowerment and Skills Development Programme designed to equip young Nigerians and women with practical, market-driven skills for the modern economy.

The ambitious initiative was officially flagged off in Kano by Vice President Kashim Shettima as part of the Federal Government’s broader commitment to human capital development.

The programme will train more than 160 participants in its first phase across the six geopolitical zones, focusing on high-demand sectors such as solar installation and maintenance, mobile phone hardware repairs, electrical appliance servicing, welding and fabrication, food processing and packaging, as well as entrepreneurship development.

Beyond being a vocational training scheme, the programme represents a strategic national intervention aimed at unlocking economic opportunities for young people while advancing Nigeria’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It reflects a growing recognition that sustainable development can only be achieved when citizens are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and tools needed to participate meaningfully in economic growth.

Remarking, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, said the programme represents far more than a training exercise; it is part of a broader vision to build a resilient workforce capable of driving Nigeria’s industrial future.

“The future belongs to people with skills. The knowledge you gain here can create businesses, support families, employ others and contribute to Nigeria’s industrial growth,” he said.

Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Dr. Yahaya Tanko, the Technical Assistant to the EVC/CEO on Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), described the programme as a direct response to some of Nigeria’s most pressing socio-economic challenges.

According to him, the initiative goes beyond skills acquisition by creating pathways to economic independence, entrepreneurship, and long-term prosperity.

He explained that the program aligns closely with global development priorities by creating opportunities for decent work and economic growth through practical training that prepares participants for employment, self-reliance, and enterprise creation.

Instead of merely producing job seekers, the initiative is crafted to nurture job creators capable of establishing businesses, generating income, and contributing significantly to national productivity, he declared.

Dr. Tanko further noted that the programme’s emphasis on solar technology and renewable energy reflects NASENI’s commitment to expanding access to affordable and clean energy solutions.

By training participants in solar installation and maintenance, the agency is helping to build a workforce capable of supporting Nigeria’s energy transition while providing sustainable solutions for households, farms, and small businesses, particularly in underserved and off-grid communities.

A key feature of the initiative is its deliberate focus on women’s participation. According to NASENI officials, empowering women with practical technical skills not only promotes economic inclusion but also strengthens families, communities, and local economies. By opening doors to new opportunities, the programme seeks to break long-standing barriers that have limited women’s participation in critical sectors of the economy.

The initiative also reflects NASENI’s broader commitment to education, innovation, and industrial advancement. Beyond vocational training, the agency is supporting schools with laptops and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) innovation kits aimed at nurturing creativity, problem-solving, and technological competence among young learners. This investment in STEM education is expected to strengthen the foundation for future scientific discoveries, engineering breakthroughs, and industrial growth.

Represented at the launch by the Personal Assistant to the President on Subnational Infrastructure in the Office of the Vice President, Musaddiq Mustapha Adamu, Vice President Kashim Shettima praised the initiative as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s greatest asset, its people.

“The government is not doing you a favour. It is making an investment in you because it believes the return is worth it. Learn, apply what you have learnt and justify that confidence,” he told participants.

Also remarking, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, represented by Dr. Ibrahim Abdulkadir, also commended the initiative, describing it as a significant contribution to innovation-driven human capital development and inclusive economic growth.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building a technology-enabled economy capable of competing globally while creating sustainable opportunities for Nigerians.

The programme attracted support from a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives of the Kano State Government, the Nigerian Commodity Exchange, the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and the Arewa Consultative Forum.

As the first cohort of participants begins training, many stakeholders see the initiative as a defining example of how strategic investment in skills, technology, and innovation can advance Nigeria’s development aspirations.

Through the programme, NASENI is aligning practical empowerment programmes with the Sustainable Development Goals, in addition to addressing unemployment, poverty and also laying the foundation for a more inclusive, productive society.