Kaduna state governor Uba Sani has reaffirmed the state’s ambition to become a leading hub for agricultural transformation and youth-driven innovation, as the state emerged as a pilot beneficiary of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) ‘Rice Transformation Initiative’, while also expanding vocational digital skills training for young people.
The governor received the Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulLateef Shittu, and his delegation during a strategic working visit focused on deepening collaboration under the ‘State-Led Rice Transformation Initiative’.
Kaduna’s selection as a pilot state follows what officials described as notable progress in agricultural reform, food security, and rural economic development under the current administration.
Speaking during the engagement, Governor Sani described agriculture as a central pillar of Kaduna’s development agenda, stressing that economic growth, peace, and social stability are closely tied to the prosperity of farming communities across the state.
The Governor highlighted the administration’s increased investment in agriculture, revealing that budgetary allocation to the sector rose from 0.5% in 2023 to 13% in the 2026 budget – surpassing the Malabo Declaration benchmark for agricultural spending. According to him, the investment has supported major projects including the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) and the Agricultural Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC), both aimed at boosting food production, value addition, and agribusiness opportunities.
Sani also reaffirmed Kaduna State’s commitment to the Rice Transformation Initiative, pledging continued collaboration to strengthen food security, create employment opportunities, and promote sustainable agricultural growth.
In a parallel effort to prepare young people for the modern economy, the Kaduna State Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development is intensifying technical and digital skills training through its ICT and Computer Hardware/GSM Repairs programme. The initiative is equipping trainees with practical expertise in diagnosing device faults, repairing mobile phones, assembling computer systems, and troubleshooting software and hardware problems.
Participants are undergoing hands-on training that covers everything from screen replacements to circuit-level repairs, shifting learning beyond classroom theory to practical real-world application. Officials say the programme is designed to position young people for employment, entrepreneurship, and innovation within Nigeria’s expanding technology sector.
The twin initiatives underscore Kaduna State government’s broader strategy of combining agricultural modernisation with digital and vocational empowerment to drive economic growth, reduce unemployment and build a more resilient future-ready workforce.
