Katsina State is witnessing a silent revolution in youth empowerment, and at the heart of it lies the dramatic transformation of the Katsina Youth Craft Village (KYCV). Once a modest vocational centre established during the tenure of former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema, KYCV has now evolved into a dynamic, state-recognized institution for technical and vocational education under Governor Dikko Umaru Radda.
What was once a training facility with limited outreach and local acclaim is today a National Skills Qualification (NSQ)-certified training provider, offering young men and women across the state an opportunity to gain hands-on, industry-relevant skills in diverse fields—from carpentry to ICT, and tailoring to automobile mechanics.
The most visible sign of this transformation was the graduation of 634 trainees in July 2025—a historic event held at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, which didn’t just celebrate the completion of training but marked a turning point in skills development strategy in Katsina.
Each of the graduates was presented with trade-specific starter packs, a first in the institution’s history. These weren’t symbolic gifts but real tools and equipment—ranging from sewing machines and toolboxes to industrial stoves and welding kits—designed to launch their entrepreneurial journeys.
“These starter packs are not mere handouts,” Governor Radda declared during the event. “They are instruments of empowerment, designed to catalyze job creation, innovation, and economic independence.”
But beyond the distribution of kits lies a deeper institutional shift.
Governor Radda’s vision for KYCV was not just to sustain what he inherited—it was to reimagine it as a Centre of Excellence in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). And that is precisely what is unfolding.
The administration rolled out a series of strategic reforms:
* A comprehensive business plan and sustainability framework to ensure long-term impact.
* International benchmarking, including study tours to Brazil’s globally-renowned SENAI vocational institutes.
* Full NSQF accreditation and adherence to ISO standards.
* Training and up-skilling of instructors to ensure they meet modern teaching requirements.
* A comprehensive audit and upgrade of tools and equipment to industry standards.
* A Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) system to track learning outcomes.
* Integration with community-based projects like the Women’s Multipurpose Centre in Filin Samji and the Furniture Production Initiative in schools.
The end goal, as the Governor outlined, is clear: make KYCV not just a local training hub but a flagship model for vocational excellence in Nigeria.
That ambition was validated in June 2025 when the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) formally approved KYCV as an NSQ Training Provider. This recognition authorizes the centre to train and certify youths in trades such as:
1. Carpentry and Joinery
2. Automobile Mechanics
3. Garment Making
4. Hospitality & Catering
5. Welding and Fabrication
6. Mobile Phone Repairs
7. Cosmetology
8. Leather Work
9. Plumbing
10. Photography and Cinematography
11. Computer Hardware Maintenance
12. Satellite Installation, and more.
The NBTE certification extends to KYCV campuses in both Katsina and Malumfashi, marking a statewide reach for the programme.
“This is more than just a certification—it’s a doorway to opportunity,” said the Centre’s Coordinator, Engr. Kabir Abdullahi K/Soro. “We are now operating at a level that aligns with both national standards and international best practices.”
To ensure the starter packs are used for their intended purpose, the Radda administration implemented strict accountability measures, including written agreements with parents or guardians, a robust monitoring system, and surveillance by security agencies.
“Anyone found selling their kit will face appropriate consequences,” Governor Radda warned.
Meanwhile, KYCV is also making inroads into local communities. Graduates don’t just walk away with skills—they are integrated into the state’s economic and social fabric. Whether it's tailors serving school uniform needs, ICT trainees fixing local devices, or caterers servicing community events, the practical impact is already visible.
In an inspiring show of continuity, the graduation event was attended by former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema, who originally established the Craft Village. “I’m proud to see this centre thriving,” Shema said. “These graduates are a testament to what we can achieve when leadership is focused and consistent.”
Governor Radda acknowledged this legacy with grace: “Your visionary leadership laid the foundation for KYCV, and it is our honour to build upon that legacy.”
Governor Radda is not stopping here. He announced plans to expand KYCV by introducing ten new departments, upgrading facilities, and partnering with leading skill-development institutions. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed with a renowned training centre in Kano.
As Katsina battles youth unemployment and seeks to harness its demographic strength, the transformation of KYCV offers a working model of what’s possible with political will, strategic planning, and accountability.
With its modern tools, NSQ accreditation, and state-backed support, Katsina Youth Craft Village is no longer just a training centre—it’s a launchpad for the next generation of skilled entrepreneurs and job creators in northern Nigeria.
Ahmed Abdulkadir is a journalist and the Board Chairman of Katsina State Radio and Television Services.
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