By Grace Ben Kato
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), has commenced a five-day skills acquisition and youth empowerment programme for 120 youths in Lokoja, Kogi State.
The programme, which will equip participants with practical skills in electrical installation and maintenance, is designed to promote self-reliance, entrepreneurship and economic inclusion.
The training, holding at Reverton Hotel, Lokoja, began on Monday and will end on Friday, October 23, 2026.
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Speaking at the opening ceremony, the representative of NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman, Khalil Halilu, Engr. Abdulmalik Ibrahim, Director of Research, said the Skills Acquisition Training and Youth Empowerment (SATYE) programme, is part of NASENI’s commitment to human capital development and aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“NASENI is a special purpose intervention agency created to bridge the gap in technology, science and engineering skills across the country. When Mr. President promised jobs for youths, this is one of those components. The mission behind this training is to create capacity for domestic and industrial operations and maintenance,” he said.
He explained that NASENI is taking science, technology and engineering beyond laboratories to homes, businesses and communities through practical training and technology-driven interventions.
According to him, the agency’s 3Cs framework of Creation, Collaboration and Commercialisation will continue to guide its efforts to develop practical technologies, create jobs and strengthen communities.
He disclosed that participants will receive starter kits at the end of the training to enable them to start their own businesses.
He urged the beneficiaries to take the training seriously and maximize the opportunity for self-employment, adding that all trainees will remain in NASENI’s mentorship network.
“All the youths trained by NASENI will remain in our network, we will be mentoring them. We have catchment institutions around the country. Wherever they encounter operational challenges, they can consult. We have an institution, the Power Equipment and Electrical Machinery Development Institute in Okene, with over 200 staff. Most of the experts are here to train the youths,” he said.
He added that the training, which started last year, has been held in over 26 states, with Kogi hosting its first phase, noting that NASENI has 14 functional institutes across the country.
He expressed appreciation to the Maigari of Lokoja and Chairman of the Lokoja Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi IV, for his support and hospitality.
In his remarks, the Maigari of Lokoja, who was represented by the Matawalle of Lokoja, Alhaji Muhammed Adamu, called on the Federal and State Governments, to revive technical colleges to promote technical and vocational education.
The traditional ruler appealed to NASENI and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), to reconsider the reintroduction of technical education, lamenting that inadequate access to technical education was hindering Nigeria’s technological development.
He said the training would equip beneficiaries with relevant skills to improve their livelihoods and contribute to community development.
In a vote of thanks, NASENI’s Deputy Director of Information, Mr. Chima Akwaja, commended participants and traditional rulers for their support towards the success of the programme.
The training featured facilitations by Engineers Aminu Abdulraheem, Felix Patrick, Ezirim Uchechukwu and Umar Iywarah.
