Kwara Govt Boosts Youth Skills for Jobs, Entrepreneurship
Kwara Moves to Equip Youths for Job Creation
The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to equipping young people with the skills and entrepreneurial capacity needed to create jobs, build sustainable businesses and contribute to economic growth.
According to a report published on the Kwara State Ministry of Communications website, the Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, stated this at the opening of the Kwara State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Project Capacity-Building Programme on Job Creation and Entrepreneurship in Ilorin.
Nuru described the programme as part of the government’s efforts to transform agriculture into a commercially viable sector capable of creating jobs, generating wealth and promoting inclusive growth.
She said the state was focusing on strengthening the agricultural value chain, developing technical skills and creating sustainable opportunities for young people.
“Training without opportunity is not enough,” the commissioner said, stressing the need to equip participants with practical skills that can translate into businesses, employment and sustainable livelihoods.
She explained that the SAPZ initiative would help connect farmers with processors, processors with markets, and young people with emerging opportunities across the agricultural value chain.
Nuru urged participants to take the training seriously, build useful networks and identify opportunities within Kwara’s growing agro-industrial sector.
The State Project Coordinator, Engr. Dr. Busari Isiaka, said livestock development remains a key priority of the SAPZ project, alongside youth and women empowerment.
The Lead Consultant, Dr. Adekunle Adebayo of D-Positive Global Image Service Consult, commended the state government and development partners, including the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), for supporting initiatives aimed at improving agricultural production and creating opportunities for young people.
The programme brought together young people, development partners, implementing agencies, trainers and private-sector stakeholders to strengthen participants’ capacity in entrepreneurship, job creation and the agro-industrial value chain.
Nuru expressed confidence that businesses emerging from the initiative would contribute significantly to the economic growth of Kwara State and Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.
