The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST), Dr. Auwal...
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST), Dr. Auwal Mustapha Imam, has pledged the Institute’s commitment to empowering youths in the North-East region through targeted training and capacity building in the leather sector.
Dr. Imam made this known during his participation in the 12th meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF), which held in Jalingo, Taraba State. The high-level summit, chaired by Governor Babagana Umar Zulum of Borno State, and hosted by Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, brought together leaders from across the region to deliberate on security, economic revitalization, and youth development.
The development was contained in a statement signed and released by Nuhu Basheer Masa, Personal Assistant on Media and Communication to the Director General of NILEST.
Also in attendance were Governors Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), and Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), who joined their counterparts in strategizing for regional development.
Speaking during a closed-door session with the governors, Dr. Imam highlighted the untapped potential of the region’s leather industry, citing the abundant livestock resources as a strategic asset for economic growth.
“This collaboration will create more job opportunities for the youth of the region, generate wealth, and diversify the economy through the production of finished leather products,” Dr. Imam said.
He noted that NILEST is well-positioned to drive innovation in the sector through technical training, research, and the promotion of value addition along the leather value chain. According to him, the Institute is prepared to work closely with the state governments to build sustainable initiatives that will not only empower local artisans but also position the region as a hub for leather production in Nigeria.
The two-day meeting commenced with a Dinner and Gala Night at the Government House Banquet Hall in Jalingo, where delegates were treated to a warm cultural welcome. In his remarks, Governor Zulum thanked the host governor and the people of Taraba State for their hospitality and reaffirmed the Forum’s commitment to collaborative action for the region’s progress.
Dr. Imam’s engagement at the forum marks a significant step in NILEST’s drive to align its mandate with broader national and regional development goals, particularly in harnessing science and technology for economic empowerment.
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