The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 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 given 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 praised the establishment of the Kaduna State Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development, describing it as a strong indication of the government’s resolve to bridge the gap between education and employability.
She also commended the state’s investments in agriculture and social intervention programmes aimed at improving livelihoods, boosting economic resilience, and reducing poverty. According to her, Kaduna’s development approach aligns with UNDP’s priorities in promoting youth empowerment, job creation, and inclusive growth at the sub-national level.
In his response, Governor Sani thanked the UNDP for its continued support, noting that the partnership had been instrumental in advancing key sectors 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,” Sani said.
He described the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme as a vital bridge between education and employment, adding that it had helped young graduates acquire practical skills and adapt to an increasingly competitive labour market.
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The governor emphasised that skills acquisition remained a cornerstone of his administration’s policy, stressing that education without access to decent work 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.
Sani reaffirmed Kaduna State’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the Federal Government, the UNDP, and other development partners to scale up impact across priority sectors. He identified renewable energy, agriculture, construction, and services as key areas where partnerships could generate jobs and promote sustainable development.
He assured the delegation that Kaduna State remained open to partnerships aligned with its development priorities and aimed at improving the quality of life of its citizens, expressing confidence that sustained collaboration would deliver a more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous state.