Govt to train 10,000 artisans in housing intervention
The Federal Government, through the National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP), plans to train and certify 10,000 artisans annually to build a consistent pipeline of skilled workers for Nigeria’s expanding housing sector.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, unveiled the initiative during a presentation to stakeholders at the 6th National Council on Skills, chaired by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Dangiwa described NASAP as a transformative initiative—a digital craft hub, likened to “an Uber for artisans”, that will make it easier to find verified construction professionals, just like booking a ride. He emphasized that NASAP is not merely another training scheme but a flagship national intervention designed to equip youths with market-ready skills and enhance the quality and safety of housing delivery across the country.
“Poor workmanship continues to undermine both public and private housing projects. NASAP aims to professionalise artisanship, restore construction standards, and link skilled workers directly to employment opportunities,” the Minister stated.
The programme will use a digital platform—Craft Hub—to profile certified artisans in a national database accessible to developers, contractors, and the public. Each artisan’s profile will include location, trade, job ratings, and work history, fostering transparency and building trust in their skills.
NASAP is structured as a six-month intensive training that blends classroom instruction, practical exercises, mentorship, and on-site experience. It will focus on 10 high-demand construction trades:
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Bricklaying & Masonry
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Plumbing & Pipefitting
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Electrical Installation
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Carpentry & Woodwork
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Painting & Decorative Finishes
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Welding & Fabrication
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Tiling & Floor Finishing
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POP & Screeding
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Upholstery & Furniture Craft
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Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
Training will initially leverage Building Craft Training Schools in Kuje and Yaba, with new centres planned for Imo and Yobe States.
The programme will be rolled out in three phases:
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2025 – Pilot in selected states (targeting 3,000 artisans)
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2026 – Nationwide implementation
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2027 – Establishment of Regional Centres of Excellence
NASAP will be executed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The Ministry will provide seed funding while partnering with organisations such as the World Bank, AfDB, UNDP, GIZ, JICA, and ESG-aligned investors to attract additional resources.
Following Dangiwa’s presentation, the Council advised the Ministry to strengthen its collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to align NASAP’s curriculum with national certification standards.
With sustained inter-agency cooperation and stakeholder support, NASAP holds the potential to improve construction quality, generate employment, and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on foreign artisans.
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