The former governor of Katsina state, Aminu Masari, has said that Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful economic progress if it remained heavily dependent on imports.

Mr Masari was speaking at the media launch of the Nigeria Talents Exploration Challenge (NTEC) in Abuja on Saturday.

The event, in collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), is aimed at developing a national competition and showcasing exceptional talents among youths.

The former governor emphasised the need for local production to strengthen the nation’s economy.

“You can never make progress with importation; your currency can never have meaning with importation; your energy needs will never be affordable if they are totally dependent on what comes from outside,” he said.

Mr Masari, also the board chairman, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), highlighted the importance of youth empowerment through technical and vocational skills.

He recalled initiatives implemented during his tenure as governor to train over 10,000 young people in various skills.

“The idea of talent hunt and empowering the youth came about because we recognised that they are the future,” he added.

On his part, the national coordinator of NTEC, Faisal Rafindadi, said the challenge aligned with the federal government’s vision to boost economic growth through technical and vocational education.

“Our partnership with the NBTE underscores our commitment to excellence in technical education.

“We aim to create a platform that inspires and empowers Nigerian youths to become leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs,” he said.

Also, the executive secretary of NBTE, Idris Bugaje, expressed optimism on Nigeria’s growing role in global skills development.

Mr Bugaje said that Africa had been blessed with talents and by extension Nigeria with undiscovered talents that must be tapped for socioeconomic development.

He said that there had been missing gaps between research and industry, noting that the initiative would change the narrative.

He explained that the talents, once discovered would be nurtured through the NBTE so that they could contribute meaningfully to the socioeconomic development of the country.

“We are happy that this talent hunt, which started in Katsina, has been sustained and is now a national programme.

“With Nigeria’s admission into World Skills International in 2024, we now have a platform to showcase our talents on a global stage,” Mr Bugaje said.

He further explained that winners of the talent hunt would represent Nigeria at the World Skills Africa competition in Zambia in 2025 while the World Skills International event would be in South Korea in 2026.

The competition is open to Nigerians from 10 to 40 years old, covering various categories such as automotive modelling, arts and crafts, ICT, technology and innovation, construction, literary arts, and poetry.

Highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Nigeria Talent Exploration Challenge logo.

(NAN)