8The Kano State Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening technical and vocational education through collaboration with UNESCO and the Republic of Korea under the Better Education for Africa’s Rise (BEAR III) Project.
The State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ali Haruna Makoda, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Bashir Baffa Muhammed, gave the assurance during a meeting with the project’s technical team in Kano. He said the programme aligns with the administration’s policy of equipping youths with practical, market-driven skills that promote innovation, job creation, and economic growth.
Dr. Makoda noted that the meeting was convened to review reports on crop value chains and institutional capacity assessments, stressing that Kano stood to gain significantly from the outcomes. He described the support from UNESCO and the Republic of Korea as a clear demonstration of their commitment to strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the state, which, he said, not only advances learning but also empowers young people and fosters sustainable livelihoods.
The BEAR III Regional Coordinator, Manish Joshi, outlined progress made so far, including the completion of a needs assessment of technical colleges, a seminar on work-based learning and apprenticeships in agriculture and technology, and a roundtable on career guidance and counseling. He emphasized that the project’s goal is to equip young people with the technical and soft skills needed for decent employment through a robust TVET system.
In her remarks, the Director of Technology and Science Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Olodo M.A., said the initiative was more than reviewing reports, as it seeks to strengthen skills, transform agriculture, and expand opportunities for Nigerian youths.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris M. Bugaje—represented by Prof. Diyauddeen Basheer Hasan—stated that the Board was committed to developing relevant curricula tailored to Kano’s needs. He highlighted plans to focus on areas such as irrigation and agro-processing to ensure that the programme benefits the state directly.
