Dangote Foundation Expands Northern Footprint With New Skills Centre In Kano
4th August, 2026 | News
Dangote Foundation Takes Over Management of Skills Acquisition Centre in Kano
The Aliko Dangote Foundation has expanded its youth empowerment initiatives in Northern Nigeria after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kano State Government to manage the Aliko Dangote Skills Acquisition Centre in the state.
Under the agreement, the Foundation will take over the management of the multi-million-naira facility for several years and run programmes designed to equip young people with technical, digital and industrial skills.
The initiative is expected to provide young Nigerians with practical skills that can improve their employment prospects, encourage entrepreneurship and support the development of a skilled workforce in Kano State.
The Kano agreement comes as the Foundation completes a similar skills acquisition centre in Ganaja, Kogi State, which is expected to be commissioned soon.
MAN Commends Dangote Foundation’s Skills Initiative
The Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Kano-Jigawa Branch, Muhammad Bello Isyaku Umar, described the intervention as “far-reaching and impactful.”
Umar said skills acquisition remains an important tool for tackling youth unemployment in Nigeria, particularly as the country seeks to create more opportunities for its growing young population.
He said programmes at the Aliko Dangote Skills Acquisition Centre could equip young people with practical abilities to become entrepreneurs, artisans or employees.
According to him, greater emphasis should be placed on modern technical, digital and industrial skills that align with current labour-market demands.
Umar also described Kano as a major economic and commercial hub in Northern Nigeria, noting that the Dangote Foundation’s interventions in the region have covered several areas.
He cited healthcare, education, women empowerment, water provision and poverty alleviation as some of the sectors where the Foundation has implemented initiatives.
He said such interventions complement government programmes while addressing the needs of vulnerable communities.
Skills Training Seen as Key to Kano’s Youth Development
Managing Director of Radio Kano, Abubakar Adamu, described the takeover of the skills centre as one of the strategically important areas of partnership for Kano’s future.
Adamu said Kano’s large youthful population could not depend solely on conventional government employment.
He stressed the importance of equipping young people with practical skills that match real market demand and can enable them to pursue employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
The latest partnership further highlights the growing focus on technical and vocational skills as part of efforts to address youth unemployment and strengthen economic opportunities for young people in Nigeria.