By Abigail Dada
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| Students display chemical products |
The Science Education Students’ Association (SESA) of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, held the SESA Skill Acquisition 2025/2026 on Friday, July 24, 2026.
With the theme "Skills for Sustainability: Building Capacity for Tomorrow," the program provided 100 students with practical vocational and digital skills aimed at complementing their academic degrees.
Participants received hands-on training in five areas. These included Resin Art for crafting custom keyholders, earrings, and bookmarks, Graphics Design, Cinematography, Barbing and Hairdressing, and Household Chemical Production. In the chemical production class, students learned to formulate liquid soap, air fresheners, and petroleum jelly (Vaseline).
Household items on display
Speaking to ABU Campus Press, Madinatu Abubakar, the first female President of the Department of Science Education, explained what inspired the initiative. She said the program was designed to connect classroom theories with practical entrepreneurship.
"We have been planning this project since August last year, reaching out to sponsors, partners, and philanthropists who could help bring this vision to life," Madinatu said. "In the end, we successfully recruited and trained 100 students in various high-value skills."
The exhibition drew notable university leaders and guests. In attendance were the Head of Department, Prof. M. K. Falalu, Prof. J. S. Mari, SESA Patron, Dr. J. F. Jesulowo, and Dr. S. S. Muhammad.
Guest speaker Bukar Usman Suleiman, former Student Representative Council (SRC) President, urged students to look beyond theory. He emphasized the need to understand market demands and to acquire practical technical skills before graduation.
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| Dignitaries and students at SESA exhibition |
ABU Campus Press also spoke with Prof. Binta Abdulkarim, Chief Speaker from the Department of Science Education, on why many undergraduates still prioritize degrees over practical skills. She traced the trend to institutional habits.
"It is not entirely the students' fault; the system itself has conditioned them to value a university degree above skill acquisition or entrepreneurship," Prof. Abdulkarim said. "However, students can no longer afford to sit in their comfort zones expecting degrees alone to secure their future."
The successful completion of SESA Skill Acquisition 2025/2026 shows a growing push within the university community to promote self-reliance, innovation, and long-term economic sustainability among graduates.