The United Nations Development Programme has commended the Kaduna State Government for its sustained commitment to skills-based education, youth development, agriculture and social investment, describing the initiatives as strategic investments in human capital.
The commendation was delivered on Friday during a courtesy visit to Governor Uba Sani by a UNDP delegation led by its Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms Elsie Attahfua, alongside officials from the Office of the Vice President. The visit focused on strengthening collaboration between Kaduna State and development partners, particularly through the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, a Federal Government initiative implemented under the Office of the Vice President with support from the UNDP and the European Union.
Attahfua said Kaduna State had demonstrated a deliberate focus on equipping young people with relevant, market-ready skills needed to drive inclusive and sustainable development. She specifically praised the establishment of the Kaduna State Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development, describing it as “a strong signal of the government’s resolve to bridge the gap between education and employability.”
According to her, the UNDP was encouraged by the state’s investments in agriculture and social intervention programmes targeted at improving livelihoods, strengthening economic resilience and reducing poverty. She noted that Kaduna State’s approach aligned with the UNDP’s broader development priorities, particularly in promoting youth empowerment, job creation and inclusive growth at the sub-national level.
Responding, Governor Uba Sani expressed appreciation to the UNDP for its continued support to Kaduna State, noting that the partnership had played an important role in advancing key aspects of the state’s development agenda.
“The collaboration we enjoy with UNDP aligns perfectly with our vision of building an integrated and smart Kaduna State that puts people at the centre of development,” the governor said.
He described the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme as a critical link between education and employment, explaining that it had enabled young graduates to acquire practical skills and better adapt to an increasingly competitive labour market. Sani stressed that skills acquisition remained a central pillar of his administration’s policy framework, adding that education without access to decent employment opportunities was incomplete.
“Our commitment is clear: investing in people is non-negotiable. When young people are empowered with the right skills, they become drivers of economic growth and social stability,” he said.
The governor reaffirmed Kaduna State’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the Federal Government, the UNDP and other development partners to expand impact across priority sectors. He identified renewable energy, agriculture, construction and services as key areas where strategic partnerships could unlock employment opportunities and promote sustainable development.
Sani assured the delegation that Kaduna State remained open to partnerships that aligned with its development priorities and improved the quality of life of its citizens, expressing confidence that sustained collaboration would help deliver a more resilient, inclusive and prosperous state.
