By Hassan Ibrahim
The Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Education, Zaria, Prof. Yahaya Isa Bunkure, has called on students and young people to embrace skills diversification and make effective use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a pathway to career growth and global relevance.
In a statement by his Media Aide, Sani Lawal Maqarphy, the Vice-Chancellor made the appeal at the closing ceremony of the “Future Ready Week” organised by the university’s Career Service Center with support from TETFund and facilitation by Spider Technologies Limited, stressing that modern employability depends largely on practical and digital skills beyond academic certificates.
The four-day programme featured intensive training sessions on employability, entrepreneurship development, and AI-driven career development. Participants were trained on mentor mapping, career guidance, communication skills, ideation, and pitch development among other critical competencies.
Prof. Bunkure described the initiative as timely and impactful, noting that the university remains committed to producing graduates who are not only academically sound but also equipped with relevant skills for self-reliance and competitiveness in the global labour market.
He emphasized that Artificial Intelligence has come to stay and urged participants to leverage it productively to unlock new opportunities and enhance their future careers.
The Vice-Chancellor expressed optimism that beneficiaries of the programme would emerge as employers of labour rather than job seekers, highlighting the importance of entrepreneurial and digital skills for economic independence.
Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Suleiman Balarabe, reiterated the need for students to combine academic qualifications with vocational and entrepreneurial skills to achieve financial independence after graduation.
Earlier, the Director of the Career Service Center, Malam Sunusi Kwairanga Mafindi, described the Career Fair as a transition “from training to opportunity,” encouraging students to network with industry representatives and build professional relationships that could shape their careers.
The Vice-Chancellor later led members of the university management and dignitaries to inspect exhibitions of products and innovations developed by participants, while outstanding trainees with viable business ideas were presented with cheques.
The event also featured a panel discussion with academics and security experts, including Prof. Yakubu Azare of BUK, representatives from the Nigerian Military School, and senior lecturers from ABU and FUE Zaria.
Dignitaries present included principal officers of the university, directors, security officials, and the Dean of Students’ Affairs.
0 Comments