The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Education, Zaria, Prof. Yahaya Isa Bunkure, has reiterated the need for skills acquisition as a viable pathway to self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.
The Vice-Chancellor made the call while addressing trainees at the ongoing Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Programme, a training initiative jointly sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Education and the World Bank.
A statement signed by the media aide to the VC Sani Lawal maqarphy said the six-month training programme, which focuses on Fashion Design and Garment Making, is scheduled to run from 12th January to 12th June, 2026, in the University, with participants drawn from various places.
In his address, Prof. Bunkure admonished the participants to be punctual and fully committed to all activities of the training. He stressed the importance of self-reliance, particularly for women, and cautioned against over-dependence on white-collar jobs.
He urged the trainees to maximise the opportunity presented by the programme, noting that “your commitment will pave the way for your success and self-reliance.”Emphasising the prospects ahead, he added,
“You will become facilitators, established fashion designers, and beneficiaries of the many opportunities that lie ahead,” stressing that their dedication would justify their presence throughout the six months of training.
Earlier, the Director of the Directorate of Skills Development and Linkages (DSD&L), FUE Zaria, Dr Amina Sani, while introducing the participants, disclosed that the programme would train 100 participants in Fashion Design and Garment Making.
She added that the programme is structured to include monthly stipends and take-off packages for participants at the end of the six-month training, to enable them commence their entrepreneurial journeys immediately.
The Vice-Chancellor thanked the Federal Government for the Renewed Hope initiatives led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. He also appreciated the Ministry of Education, the World Bank, and the efforts of the DSD&L.
Finally, Prof. Bunkure expressed optimism that more such opportunities would continue to come to the University, which he noted would drastically reduce the overburden on government and empower more citizens for productive living.
