The Kogi State Government has launched the Ododo Youth Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Programme (OYESA) to equip 1,000 youths with industry-relevant vocational skills, marking a significant step toward human capital development in the state.
The training, facilitated by the Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute for Vocational and Advanced Technology (NKFI), aims to position Kogi as a hub for technical expertise and innovation. By 2027, at least 1,000 youths are expected to be trained in high-demand skills, enhancing their employability and supporting the state’s economic growth.
Key Aspects of the Training Program
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Lugard TV, NKFI Rector, William Charles Oluwatoyin, emphasized that the initiative aligns with Governor Usman Ododo’s vision of building a skilled workforce to drive industrial and infrastructural development in Kogi.
The first phase of the program has already commenced with 250 participants selected from the 21 local government areas. These trainees are undergoing intensive training in nine specialized fields, including:
- Automotive Mechatronics
- Welding and Fabrication
- Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Conversion
- Networking and System Security
- Software Development
- Solar Power Installation
- Photography
Immediate Employability & Economic Impact
Oluwatoyin highlighted that one of the major successes of OYESA is the immediate employability of its graduates. For instance, some welding and fabrication trainees have already demonstrated their expertise by executing state projects at significantly lower costs than external contractors.
This strategy reduces government expenditure while empowering local talent, ensuring Kogi State has the necessary expertise to meet its industrial needs.
Beyond the direct beneficiaries, Oluwatoyin estimated that the program’s impact will extend to over 5,000 individuals, including the trainees and their dependents, fostering economic empowerment across communities.
Industrial Integration & Future Prospects
The NKFI Rector also revealed that the institution integrates trainees into industrial workplaces, providing them with hands-on experience. Many graduates have already secured employment in major companies such as Dangote Group and Grand Cereal Nigeria Limited.
Additionally, NKFI is advancing innovative projects in areas such as solar-powered systems and high-definition surveillance technology to support security agencies in Kogi State.
Oluwatoyin expressed confidence that the program would be sustained and expanded, ensuring that graduates receive high-quality starter packs worth millions of Naira to help them establish their careers.
Government’s Commitment to Skills Development
He commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his commitment to advancing vocational education and skills acquisition in Kogi. The state government continues to support initiatives that enhance youth employability and contribute to economic growth.
By the end of Governor Ododo’s first tenure, at least 1,000 youths are expected to be trained, significantly addressing unemployment and poverty in Kogi State.
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Our Governor he is youth and knows what right for the youths and Kogi state as a whole