Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has recounted how his practical skills as a certified welder and engineer helped him secure a good job in the United States in the 1980s—without ever being asked to present his certificates.
Speaking at the inaugural Engr. Abdullahi Sule Colloquium in Lafia, themed “Technological-Driven Entrepreneurship as a Panacea for Unemployment and Catalyst for Economic Growth and Development”, the governor emphasized the value of skill-based education.
He noted that his administration’s focus on vocational training for youths stems from his personal experience, stressing that companies prioritize competence over certificates.
He said : “When I was graduating from Government Technical College Bukulu in 1980, I got a scholarship to study at Indiana University in the US. Then I worked as a welder at night and attended school in the daytime just to make money through skills I acquired.
“Throughout the period of my stay in the university as I worked in the night, and after graduation, the first job I got, nobody asked me to present any certificate. All they needed was my skills and my ability to do the job.”
Governor Sule noted that his decision to establish a state-of-the-art skills acquisition center in Nasarawa State was inspired by his experience abroad. He also disclosed plans to provide technical training and financial support to retirees and youths, equipping them with starter packs for self-employment.
On his part, the guest speaker Jelani Aliyu, an internationally recognized automotive designer, urged governments to harness technology for economic growth. He emphasized that technological advancement remains a key driver of national development.
He further encouraged African nations to embrace multilateral technology to enhance their global influence, challenging Nasarawa’s youth to shape the future and leave a mark on the world.
Aliyu commended Governor Sule’s commitment to improving citizens’ livelihoods through skills and entrepreneurship programs.
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