The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, on Friday paid a courtesy visi...
The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, on Friday paid a courtesy visit to the Federal Cooperative College, Kaduna, where he underscored the pivotal role of cooperative education in tackling the socio-economic challenges facing Northern Nigeria.
During a comprehensive tour of the college’s facilities, Prof. Bugaje expressed satisfaction with the institution’s progress and reaffirmed its critical place in Nigeria’s manpower development strategy. He noted that the college holds immense potential to reshape the socio-economic narrative of communities across the region.
Speaking to staff and management, the NBTE Executive Secretary drew attention to the complex challenges plaguing Northern Nigeria, including insecurity, economic decline, and energy poverty. He reminded the college community of their heightened responsibility, given the region's vast population and urgent need for sustainable development interventions.
“Small businesses are dying, industries are fizzling out, and the economic situation is struggling to survive,” Prof. Bugaje remarked, emphasizing the urgency for innovative solutions through education and community-based enterprise development.
Focusing on agriculture as the region’s primary economic activity, he called on cooperative institutions to step up their role in adding value to agricultural output and empowering small-scale entrepreneurs. He cited the Bangladesh model of cooperative financing as an example worth replicating in Nigeria, noting its success in revitalizing grassroots economies through community-driven financial models.
In response, the Provost of the Federal Cooperative College, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awwal, expressed deep appreciation for the visit, acknowledging its significance amid Prof. Bugaje’s demanding schedule. He reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to the “Renewed Hope Agenda” and highlighted its alignment with the college’s five-year strategic plan.
Dr. Awwal revealed plans to diversify the college’s academic offerings, expand cooperative education programs, and introduce targeted initiatives aimed at advancing national development goals. He also pledged greater engagement with stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of the college’s strategic framework.
The visit reaffirmed the federal government’s recognition of cooperative education as a vital tool for regional transformation. With Northern Nigeria confronting multiple development crises, the Federal Cooperative College Kaduna stands out as a potential hub for sustainable change—leveraging education, innovation, and cooperative enterprise.
All members of the college management were present during the visit, reflecting institutional solidarity and shared dedication to excellence in education and community empowerment.
The partnership between NBTE and the Federal Cooperative College Kaduna represents a forward-thinking approach to addressing Nigeria’s developmental challenges through cooperative education, with an emphasis on agriculture, small business growth, and grassroots financing models that have succeeded in other parts of the world.
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