The Kogi State Government, led by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, has launched a training initiative aimed at empowering 1,000 youths with vocational skills to support the state’s economic growth. The program, known as the Ododo Youth Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Programme (OYESA), is designed to equip participants with industry-relevant skills to enhance employability and contribute to the state’s human capital development.
In an exclusive session with LugardTV, it was disclosed that the first batch of 250 participants, selected from 21 local government areas (LGAs) across Kogi State, are currently undergoing 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, and photography.
The training is being facilitated by the Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute for Vocational and Advanced Technology (NKFI), a state-owned institution. NKFI has been tasked with implementing the program, with plans to train at least 1,000 youths by 2027.
Dr. William Charles Oluwatoyin, Rector of NKFI, emphasized that building a skilled labour force is vital for industrial growth and that having a skilled workforce would help position Kogi as a hub for technical expertise.
Dr. Oluwatoyin further highlighted the programme’s immediate impact, stating that some graduates in welding and fabrication have already worked on state projects at a fraction of the cost of external contractors.
He explained that integrating local talent into government projects reduces costs and strengthens Kogi’s industrial and infrastructural development.
The program is expected to have a broader impact, with over 5,000 people, including the trainees and their dependents, benefiting from the economic empowerment generated by the initiative. By the end of Governor Ododo’s first term, the program is expected to have trained at least 1,000 youths, significantly reducing unemployment in the state.
NKFI is also working with major companies, including Dangote Group and Grand Cereal Nigeria Limited, where several graduates have already secured employment. Also, the institute is advancing projects in solar-powered systems and high-definition surveillance technology to support security agencies in Kogi.
Governor Ododo has expressed full support for the initiative, ensuring that the program remains sustainable and impactful. As part of the program, graduates will receive starter packs worth millions of Naira to help them launch their careers.
