Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State has reiterated his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, describing it as central to his governance philosophy.
Sani stated this at the 2026 International Youth Day Conference held on Friday in Kaduna, where he supported outstanding young innovators.
The governor presented N3 million each to selected youths who had distinguished themselves in science, technology and innovation.
Among the beneficiaries was a team of Computer Engineering students from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, developers of an innovative walking aid.
The device is designed to assist visually impaired persons in navigating their environment more safely and independently.
Another beneficiary was Fauziyya Muhammad Auwal of Kaduna State University, the first female astronaut candidate with Titans Space Industries.
Auwal is also Nigeria’s first female analogue astronaut for the 2026 LunAres Research Station in Poland and founder of ASTHERA.
ASTHERA is an initiative focused on advancing space technology and inspiring young people to explore opportunities in the sector.
Other beneficiaries included eight microchip designers selected for specialised training under the Kaduna State Human Capital Development Initiative.
Also recognised were Al-Amin Mohammed Idris and Shamsudeen Jibril, winners of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) NEXTGEN Challenge.
Sani said the state was moving beyond promises and symbolism towards practical investments capable of empowering young people.
“We will continue to expand skills acquisition and vocational training, because every young person deserves the opportunity to leave school with a skill,” he said.
He said the administration would deepen digital literacy and technological innovation to enable youths to design, build and own products.
“Kaduna’s youth must not merely consume the products of the digital economy; you must design, build and own them,” Sani said.
The governor also promised to strengthen entrepreneurship and access to finance, noting that lack of capital had hindered many promising ideas.
He said youth empowerment must also include the power to participate, influence decisions and provide leadership in public affairs.
“We must create credible pathways through which young people can enter public service, governance and civic leadership,” he said.
Sani said such opportunities should not be viewed as favours from older generations, stressing that youths were already leading in several sectors.
He said youths were contributing significantly to businesses, communities, schools, families, creative enterprises and social movements.
The governor said the government could not achieve youth development alone, and called for collaboration among stakeholders across different sectors.
He solicited stronger partnerships with development partners, civil society organisations and institutions supporting youth development in Kaduna.
Sani urged youths not to allow their local government, language, faith, gender, economic circumstances or disability limit their ambitions.
He encouraged them to build relationships across boundaries, learn from diverse experiences and develop solutions to real societal challenges.
“Above all, refuse to surrender your imagination to the difficulties of the present,” he advised.
In her welcome address, Commissioner for Youth Development, Mrs Gloria Ibrahim, said the conference theme was “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
Ibrahim said youths across Kaduna came from diverse backgrounds, including technology hubs, agricultural communities, trading centres, classrooms, workshops and start ups.
She said despite their different circumstances, youths shared common aspirations for good jobs, opportunities, peace, security and participation in governance.
The commissioner described Sani as a leader who had demonstrated commitment to youth development through concrete programmes and policies.
She recalled that the governor established the Kaduna State Ministry of Youth Development in 2025 to coordinate youth-focused policies, programmes and partnerships.
Ibrahim said the ministry had ensured that youth development remained a central pillar of governance rather than an afterthought.
She said the administration had also established modern skills and vocational centres in Rigachikun, Zango Kataf and Soba.
The commissioner said the government was also prioritising digital and technology skills to prepare youths for opportunities in the future workplace.
She added that the programmes were equipping young people with ICT, digital literacy and technology skills to compete locally and globally.