Governor Uba Sani has bagged the Distinguished Human Capital Development Champion Award, in recognition of his outstanding investments in education, skills development, youth empowerment and sustainable development.

The Chartered Institute of Human Capital Development of Nigeria (CIHCDN), which honoured him with the award, noted that it celebrates the governor’s people-centred policies.

The award presented at the institute’s National Conference held at Merit House, Maitama, Abuja, applauded Governor Uba Sani’s initiatives in expanding access to education, healthcare, vocational skills, economic opportunities and improved living conditions of citizens of Kaduna State.

The institute stated that the award recognises exceptional leadership in advancing education, healthcare, skills development, rural transformation, financial inclusion, youth empowerment and capacity building.

It described Mr Sani’s initiatives as a model of people-centred governance capable of delivering sustainable development and improved opportunities for Kaduna State citizens.

Speaking after receiving the award, the Commissioner of Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, expressed the hovernor’s appreciation to the institute, for recognising the commitment of Kaduna State to human capital development.

“This recognition is a testament to Governor Uba Sani’s unwavering commitment to placing people at the centre of governance. His Excellency firmly believes that the greatest investment any government can make is in its people, particularly the young, women and the vulnerable,” Mr Maiyaki stated.

He cited the establishment of three Vocational Training and Skills Development Centres in Rigachikun, Soba and Samarun Kataf, designed to equip approximately 32,000 young people annually with practical, industry-relevant skills across 14 trades.

“These centres represent a deliberate shift towards building a productive, skilled and economically independent generation. Our objective is to transform young people from job seekers into skilled professionals, entrepreneurs and employers of labour,” he stated.

The commissioner added that the administration had made substantial investments in education, including the construction of 736 new classrooms, renovation of over 1,200 classrooms, recruitment of 10,000 teachers and training of more than 33,000 teachers to strengthen quality education and enhance access.

He recalled the reduction of tuition fees in state-owned tertiary institutions by up to 50 per cent, alongside expanded scholarship and bursary interventions, demonstrating the governor’s determination to remove financial barriers to education.

On agricultural development, Mr Maiyaki added that the administration distributed 1,400 trucks of free fertiliser to 420,000 smallholder farmers, describing the intervention as a major investment in rural livelihoods, food security and economic empowerment.

He stated, “Governor Uba Sani recognises that human capital development goes beyond the classroom. It includes empowering farmers to become more productive, equipping young people with employable skills, strengthening healthcare delivery and creating opportunities for families to achieve economic independence.”

Mr Maiyaki also highlighted the governor’s investments in healthcare, including the revitalisation of 255 Primary Healthcare Centres, improved welfare for healthcare professionals and initiatives to expand access to quality medical services, particularly in underserved rural communities.

He stressed that the administration’s development agenda was anchored on inclusive governance, by ensuring that opportunities and government interventions reach communities, irrespective of political, religious and ethnic affiliations.

“This award is not merely a recognition of achievements recorded; it is an encouragement to do even more. His Excellency remains resolute in building a Kaduna State where every child has access to quality education, every young person has an opportunity to acquire productive skills, and every citizen has a fair chance to prosper,” Mr Maiyaki added.

The commissioner assured the institute that the recognition would further strengthen the governor’s determination to consolidate ongoing reforms and accelerate investments in human capital development.