According to a statement from Bukar Tijani, secretary to the State Government, the administration is committed to strengthening the hub’s operations and drawing more investors to the region.

“His Excellency, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has approved the establishment of a dedicated Borno State Industrial Hub Management Unit to further strengthen the operations of the Industrial Hub in Maiduguri, improve efficiency, and attract more investment into the State,” the statement read.

Located in Maiduguri, the state capital, the Industrial Hub is a multi-facility complex designed to stimulate economic growth through diversified manufacturing and processing activities.

Current operations include production facilities for solar panels, waste recycling, and food processing, covering ginger, tomato, cassava, and onion, as well as manufacturing lines for corn chips, biscuits, and school furniture.

Since its inception, the hub has shown significant potential to revitalize local industries and create jobs.

To oversee its progress, Governor Zulum appointed Engr. Bukar Kolomi, senior technical adviser to the Governor, as the Industrial Hub Manager, placing the unit under the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism.

Commissioned in 2019 to serve as a catalyst for economic recovery following years of insurgency, the Industrial Hub has faced challenges including stalled activities, infrastructure deficits and security issues.

However, the recent appointment of a dedicated management team signals a renewed focus on addressing these challenges and unlocking the hub’s long-promised role in driving local production and employment.

It should be recalled that the book was unveiled on Thursday, 24th of November, 2022 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Mr. Brad Smith, the President of Microsoft Corporation, wrote the Foreword to the book. Skills Rather than Just Degrees focused on the importance of skills and its potential impact in addressing the problems of unemployability, unemployment and underemployment. 

The book is a research and productive work implementing the paradigm shift advocated by Professor Pantami and is in alignment with the approach being adopted in leading educational and technological countries like the United States of America, Finland and India, amongst other countries.

The book was endorsed and unveiled by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed. 

Professor Idris Muhammad Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) was one of the personalities that endorsed the book. A number of Vice Chancellors also endorsed and reviewed the book, including Professor M.A. Abdulazeez, Vice Chancellor of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Professor Owunari Abraham Georgewill, Vice Chancellor of the University of Port-Harcourt and Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas, Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano.

In a bid to boost skilling in Nigeria, Professor Babagana Zulum obtained 10,000 copies of the book for distribution in schools and other institutions in Borno State. 

Senator Hadi Sirika also obtained 2,000 copies for distribution in institutions across the country. 

Dr Femi Adeluyi, Senior Technical Assistant (R&D) to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, said that both high profile personalities were motivated to do this after reading the book and acknowledging the high quality of the content and its capacity to inspire Nigerians to embrace skills as a catalyst for national transformation. 

“They also encouraged well-meaning Nigerians and institutions for follow their example. It is hoped that other stakeholders will try and circulate the book in their communities.

“The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, under Professor Pantami’s leadership, remains committed to implementing the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) in order to ensure that Nigeria’s digital economy remains a leading light and support the country to become the talent capital of the continent and also the world,” Dr. Adeluyi said.