The Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, and Head, Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit, Hadiza Bala Usman, has emphasised the urgent need to reposition technical and vocational education, digital skills, research, and innovation as key drivers of Nigeria’s economic growth and national development.
She spoke in a Pre-Convocation Lecture at the 33rd Convocation Ceremony and 70th Anniversary of Kaduna Polytechnic, with the theme: “The New Workforce: Leveraging Technical Training and Research for a Digitally Empowered Nigeria Under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
In her lecture, the presidential aide noted that the future workforce must go beyond certificates to become technically competent, digitally aware, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and solution driven.
Highlighting the realities of youth unemployment and changing global work trends, she stressed that Nigeria’s growing population must be transformed into a productive and skilled workforce capable of competing in a technology-driven economy.
According to her, institutions like Kaduna Polytechnic remain critical to achieving this objective through practical, industry-relevant education and research.
Bala Usman also outlined ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly the Federal Government’s renewed focus on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), curriculum modernisation, digital empowerment, innovation, and skills acquisition programmes aimed at preparing young Nigerians for the future of work.
She called for stronger collaboration between government, educational institutions, industry, development partners, and the private sector to build a sustainable skills ecosystem that supports enterprise, productivity, and inclusive growth.
Addressing the graduating students directly, she encouraged them to embrace lifelong learning, value creation, integrity, and technical excellence, urging them to see themselves not just as job seekers, but as innovators, entrepreneurs, and nation-builders.
She concluded by reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening technical education, research, and digital innovation as part of efforts to build a productive, competitive, and digitally empowered Nigeria.
