The approval and official flag-off of the programme took place at the KYCV Centre in Katsina. The initiative, to be implemented in partnership with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), will see 30 KYCV instructors trained and certified as Quality Assurance Assessors under the Nigeria Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).
Under Governor Radda’s administration, KYCV is being fully aligned with the Skills and Vocational Training Law and National Occupational Standards through the establishment of a comprehensive quality assurance system. The framework integrates quality assurance assessors, internal quality assurance managers and external quality assurance managers to ensure credible certification, standardised assessment, accountability and continuous quality improvement across KYCV and its coordinated centres.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Adnan Nahabu, described the initiative as a significant milestone in advancing technical and vocational education in Katsina State. He said the programme reflects a shift from merely expanding access to skills training to prioritising excellence and global relevance.
According to him, quality assurance plays a critical role in safeguarding the value of certificates and ensuring that skills acquired by trainees remain relevant to industry needs. He noted that without strong quality assurance mechanisms, training outcomes risk losing their meaning, adding that the governor’s decision to prioritise assessor certification was both timely and strategic.
Nahabu commended the governor for repositioning KYCV as a centre for youth empowerment and industrial skills development, highlighting reforms already implemented. These include NBTE recognition of KYCV as an NSQF training provider, the integration of six Community Skills Development Centres, extensive facility renovations and the procurement of modern tools and equipment valued at over ₦3.5 billion.
He also praised the growing partnership between the Katsina State Government and NBTE, noting that the board’s regulatory guidance has been instrumental in aligning KYCV’s programmes with national standards.
The KYCV Centre Coordinator, Engr Kabir Abdullahi Kofar Soro, described the QAA training as a landmark achievement that lays a strong human foundation for the institution’s infrastructure investments. He said the programme marks a transition to quality-driven training and credible certification.
Kofar Soro explained that the training would be conducted in phases, beginning with two weeks of intensive instruction, followed by three months of field practice and a final consolidation stage to ensure effective application of acquired knowledge in daily operations. He expressed appreciation to Governor Radda for the confidence placed in KYCV and thanked the NBTE leadership for its continued technical support.
He added that the initiative would pave the way for the training of more instructors, the development of quality managers and the establishment of stronger monitoring systems, positioning KYCV as a national reference point for excellence in technical and vocational education.
The QAA Certification Programme is expected to enhance the quality of training, improve the credibility of assessments and boost the employability of graduates, while firmly aligning KYCV with national and international best practices in skills development.
