By Remi Basorun and Gloria Ibrahim
The Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST) Samaru, Zaria was established in 1964 as Hides and Skins Demonstration Centre. The Institute as an Agency of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has undergone series of transformation since its establishment. NILEST has its core mandate in the provision of courses of instructions for the training and research in Leather and leather Products technology and related fields.
The Institute has turned out thousands of granduants who are now Captains of Industries. Many of the granduants are located in various Industries both at home and Abroad. The contributions of NILEST to the national GDP can not be overemphasised especially, when talk of foreign exchange earnings, the Leather sector of the Nigerian economy is second after Oil, this is where the importance NILEST training and research comes to play.
The Institute is the first and the only one in the Sub-Shara Africa hence, at this years matriculation of the newly admitted Students, was described by Prof. MK Yakubu, the Director-General of the Institute as a unique institution while, the matriculates where also described as unique individuals.
The year 2022 matriculation was a unique one in the sense that it was a combination of two academic sessions which was tagged, “hybrid” admission. About 500 new Students were inducted into the Institute various courses on Friday, 8th April, 2022 in the Institute’s Premises.
The occasion witnessed the presence of the Institute Management Members, Staff, Students, Parents of the Matriculates and Dignitaries from all works of life. Delivering the keynotes Address, the DG encouraged the Students to work hard as, that is the only sure way to achieve their aim of being professionals in their chosen Careers. It was a jubilation galore by the Students.
Photo: by Audu Anyip Gankon and Sani Suleiman Akarami
