Aminu Masari, the former governor of Katsina State, has stated that Nigeria cannot make substantial economic growth if it continues to rely largely on imports.
Masari was addressing at the media launch of the Nigeria Talents Exploration Challenge (NTEC) on Saturday in Abuja.
According to the Nigerian News Agency, the event, which is being organized in partnership with the nationwide Board for Technical Education (NBTE), aims to build a nationwide competition and showcase extraordinary talents among young people.
The former governor stressed the importance of domestic production in strengthening the country’s economy.
“You can never make progress with importation; your currency can never have meaning with importation; your energy needs will never be affordable if they are totally dependent on what comes from outside,” according to him.
Masari, who also serves as the Board Chairman of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), emphasized the need of youth empowerment through technical and vocational training.
He recalled projects he spearheaded during his time as governor to teach over 10,000 young people in diverse skills.
“The idea of talent hunt and empowering the youth came about because we recognised that they are the future,” he told me.
Faisal Rafindadi, the National Coordinator of NTEC, said the competition was consistent with the Federal Government’s aim of boosting economic growth through technical and vocational education.
“Our collaboration with the NBTE demonstrates our commitment to technical education excellence.”
“We aim to create a platform that inspires and empowers Nigerian youths to become leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs,” he said.
Prof. Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of NBTE, expressed hope about Nigeria’s expanding involvement in global skills development.
Bugaje stated that Africa, and hence Nigeria, has been blessed with unknown abilities that must be harnessed for socioeconomic progress.
He stated that there had been gaps in science and industry, and that the project will change the narrative.
He explained that once identified, talents would be developed through the NBTE so that they could make a meaningful contribution to the country’s socioeconomic development.
“We are pleased that this talent search, which began in Katsina, has been continued and is now a nationwide initiative.
“With Nigeria’s admission into World Skills International in 2024, we now have a platform to showcase our talents on a global stage,” Bugaje told the crowd.
He went on to say that the winners of the talent hunt would represent Nigeria at the World Skills Africa competition in Zambia in 2025, and the World Skills International event in South Korea in 2026.
The tournament is available to Nigerians aged 10 to 40, with categories including automobile modelling, arts and crafts, ICT, technology and innovation, construction, literary arts, and poetry.
The event’s highlight was the introduction of the Nigeria Talent Exploration Challenge logo.