Dr. Auwal Idris
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST), Dr. Auwal Mustapha Imam, led a delegation of his management team to the headquarters of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in Kaduna, where they met with the Executive Secretary, Professor Idris Muhammad Bugaje, to explore avenues for collaboration in technical education and support for the leather industry.
In a statement signed by Nuhu Basheer Masa, Personal Assistant, Media & Communication to the DG NILEST, the visit was described as a productive engagement aimed at fostering innovation and strengthening partnerships between both institutions. “This visit marks a significant step towards strengthening partnerships between NILEST and NBTE, aiming for a more robust framework for technical education and support in Nigeria’s leather industry,” the statement read.
During the meeting, Professor Bugaje praised NILEST’s vital contributions to the development of Nigeria’s leather and leather products industry. He described the institute as a leading institution offering not only academic certificates but also practical skills critical to the sector’s growth. He further emphasized that any organization involved in leather processing must recognize NILEST as the backbone of the leather industry.
Dr. Auwal Mustapha Imam, in his remarks, expressed appreciation for the warm reception by Professor Bugaje and reiterated the importance of deepening collaboration between NILEST and NBTE. He sought the Board’s approval to introduce new courses tailored to enhance capacity and innovation in the leather sector. According to Dr. Imam, such initiatives would play a key role in fostering skill development, modernizing leather processing techniques, and unlocking further opportunities within the industry.
The courtesy visit reflects NILEST’s commitment to forging strategic partnerships that align with its mandate of driving excellence in leather technology, scientific research, and skill acquisition, while positioning Nigeria’s leather industry for global competitiveness.