Empowerment

Nigeria Artisan Training Programme Targets 10,000 Skilled Workers Yearly

Published

1 year ago

July 21, 2025

The Nigeria artisan training programme aims to certify 10,000 skilled workers annually to meet housing demand and improve quality in the construction sector

The Nigeria artisan training programme has been unveiled by the Federal Government as a strategic response to the country’s housing deficit and skills gap.

Also read: Ogun Empowers Artisans Through Soft Loans, Leadership Training

Through the National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP), 10,000 artisans will be trained and certified each year to supply competent professionals for the fast-expanding construction industry.

Announcing the programme during the 6th National Council on Skills held at the Presidential Villa, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, described NASAP as a visionary effort to elevate craftsmanship and improve the quality of housing delivery. Vice President Kashim Shettima chaired the event.

Dangiwa said the programme is not merely about training but about building a sustainable platform.

“NASAP is a digital craft hub, an Uber for artisans, that makes it easier to find verified professionals, just like booking a ride,” he explained.

He stressed that poor workmanship has significantly weakened both public and private construction projects.

“This is a national effort to professionalise artisanship, restore quality, and connect verified skills to real jobs,” he said.

According to him, trained artisans will be digitally profiled, certified, and listed on a national database accessible to developers and contractors.

Each artisan’s profile will show their location, trade, rating, and job history, making it easier to build trust and increase employment opportunities.

“We are building trust in skill,” Dangiwa added, noting that the training would run for six months and include classroom instruction, practical work, mentorship, and jobsite experience.

NASAP is a digital craft hub, an Uber for artisans, that makes it easier to find verified professionals, just like booking a ride.

The Nigeria artisan training programme will focus on ten construction trades in high demand.

These include masonry, plumbing, electrical installations, carpentry, and painting.

Others are welding, tiling, POP work, upholstery, and air conditioning repairs.

The programme will initially operate from existing centres in Kuje and Yaba, with plans for new facilities in Imo and Yobe.

The rollout will occur in phases. In 2025, the pilot phase will train 3,000 artisans in selected states.

A national rollout will follow in 2026, with Regional Centres of Excellence expected to be operational by 2027.

“This is more than training; it is a foundation for economic inclusion and industry standards,” Dangiwa said.

“With NASAP, we are creating a skilled workforce that meets both local and global expectations.”

The programme will run under a Public-Private Partnership model. While the Ministry will provide initial capital, it will also work with development partners such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, UNDP, GIZ, and JICA. ESG-focused investors will also be invited to support the initiative.

Following the presentation, the Council encouraged the Ministry to work closely with the National Board for Technical Education to align NASAP’s curriculum with national certification systems.

This move is intended to guarantee that trainees receive recognised qualifications upon completion.

Dangiwa stressed the urgency of raising housing standards in Nigeria. He noted that many housing projects suffer from poor finishes and structural weaknesses due to unqualified labour.

By creating a steady pipeline of skilled artisans, the government hopes to drive a shift toward quality and professionalism in the building sector.

“This will transform how we build in Nigeria,” said the Minister. “It’s time we made skilled work attractive, trusted, and rewarding.”

As Nigeria tackles its housing shortfall, the Nigeria artisan training programme stands out as a long-term solution aimed at human capital development and job creation.

Also read: Inclusive Employment in Nigeria Boosted by Jobberman, Mastercard Deal

The initiative blends digital innovation with traditional craft, promising a better-built future for all.

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State development

Bauchi Urges Girls to Pursue Education and Skilled Jobs

Published

2 days ago

October 26, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Bauchi girls’ education campaign urges students to complete school, learn vocational skills and pursue careers traditionally dominated by men

Girls in Bauchi State have been encouraged to complete their education, acquire vocational skills and pursue careers traditionally dominated by men as part of efforts to promote financial independence and reduce gender inequality.

Also read: Rest of World to Shut Down as Search for New Home Continues

The call was made on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at an event in Bauchi to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.

The event was organised under the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Project in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria, Azurfa Women and Youth Development Initiative, and Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative.

Speaking at the event, Mustapha Idris, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative, said the annual observance aimed to raise awareness of girls’ rights and promote their well-being.

He said the programme was designed to encourage girls to explore a wider range of professions and address gender disparities in the workplace.

Idris urged students to use their school holidays to learn practical skills, including shoemaking and soap production, which could help them earn an income and improve their economic prospects.

“Girls should not feel ashamed of learning a trade or engaging in legitimate businesses. These skills can provide them with sources of income, promote financial independence and reduce their reliance on others,” he said.

Monica Tanko, Executive Director of Azurfa Women and Youth Development Initiative, urged the girls to remain committed to their education and avoid leaving school before completing their studies.

She also encouraged them to develop practical skills alongside their formal education, saying the combination could help prepare them for future challenges and employment opportunities.

Tanko stressed the importance of self-reliance while encouraging the students to maintain their personal dignity as they pursued their ambitions.

Timothy Ibrahim, an engineer with more than 20 years of professional experience, encouraged the students to consider engineering and other professions in which women have traditionally been underrepresented.

He urged them not to allow gender stereotypes to discourage them from pursuing their interests, adding that girls could excel when they had access to opportunities, encouragement and support.

His message reinforced the event’s call for girls to look beyond occupations traditionally associated with women and explore careers across technical and professional fields.

The event was attended by female students from several schools in Bauchi metropolis, including Rafin Zurfi, Bakaro, Unguwar Doya, Gudun Sayawa and the Federal Government Girls’ College.

The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually on October 11 to promote girls’ rights and draw attention to challenges affecting their development.

The Bauchi event used the occasion to highlight the importance of education, vocational training and access to a wider range of career opportunities.

The organisers’ message was that empowering girls requires more than keeping them in school.

Also read: Rest of World to Shut Down as Search for New Home Continues

Access to practical skills, supportive role models and opportunities to enter different professions can also help young women build greater economic independence and participate more fully in their communities.