Olu Samuel

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has commenced a five-day skills acquisition and youth empowerment programme for 120 youths in Lokoja, Kogi State, to equip them with practical skills in electrical installation and maintenance.

The programme, known as the Skills Acquisition Training and Youth Empowerment (SATYE), which began on Monday at Reverton Hotel, Lokoja, will run until Friday, October 23, 2026. It is designed to empower participants with marketable skills to promote self-reliance, entrepreneurship and economic inclusion.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the representative of NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Engr. Abdulmalik Onuwe Ibrahim, Director of Research, urged the participants to take the training seriously and maximise the opportunity to acquire the requisite knowledge and practical skills for self-employment.

“The initiative was part of NASENI’s commitment to human capacity development and aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises youth empowerment and economic inclusion.” He said.

According to him, the agency is committed to taking science, technology and engineering beyond laboratories to homes, businesses and communities through practical training and technology-driven interventions.

He explained that NASENI’s 3Cs framework of Creation, Collaboration and Commercialisation would continue to guide its efforts to develop practical technologies, create jobs, support businesses and strengthen communities.

The NASENI representative disclosed that the participants would receive starter kits at the end of the training to enable them to establish their own businesses and apply the skills acquired to generate income.

He also expressed appreciation to the Maigari of Lokoja and Chairman of the Lokoja Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi IV, for his support and hospitality towards the programme.

He equally commended the facilitators and the Local Organising Committee for their contributions to the successful commencement of the training.

In his remarks, the Maigari of Lokoja, who was represented by the Matawalle of Lokoja, Alhaji Muhammed Adamu, called on the Federal and state governments to revive technical colleges across the country to promote technical and vocational education.

The traditional ruler lamented that Nigeria’s technological development was being hindered by inadequate access to technical education, stressing the need to strengthen institutions that provide practical and vocational skills.

“The five-day training programme would equip the beneficiaries with relevant knowledge and practical skills to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the development of their communities.” He noted

Some of the beneficiaries, including Miss Umar Hawa from Angwan Kura and Abdullahi Ahmed from the Cantonment area of Lokoja, expressed appreciation to NASENI for selecting them for the programme.

They said the training offered them an opportunity to acquire useful skills that could improve their economic prospects and enable them to become self-reliant.

In a vote of thanks, NASENI’s Deputy Director of Information, Mr Chima Akwaja, commended the participants and traditional rulers for their support and cooperation towards the success of the programme.