THE Federal Government has officially commenced a nationwide programme to train, certify, and provide job opportunities for 100,000 construction artisans.
The initiative, known as the National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP), was formalised yesterday through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and Polaris Capital Limited.
The three-year scheme will be financed through a combination of federal budget allocations, private sector investments, and donor support.
A key feature of the programme is the introduction of a digital booking and verification platform designed to link trained artisans with job opportunities while also generating revenue to sustain NASAP beyond the MoU period.
Speaking at the signing, the Permanent Secretary of the Housing Ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, said the project will modernise Nigeria’s construction workforce, close skills gaps, and expand employment opportunities for youths, women, and persons with disabilities.
Trades covered under the programme include bricklaying, plumbing, electrical installation, carpentry, painting, welding, tiling, upholstery, POP and screeding, and air conditioning services.
Polaris Capital Limited’s Chief Executive Officer, Kelvin Vihishima, described the partnership as a vital step toward curbing quackery in the construction sector while boosting access to skilled labour nationwide.
NASAP will be implemented in phases: a pilot programme for 3,000 artisans across three states in 2025, a nationwide scale-up in 2026, and the establishment of Regional Centres of Excellence by 2027.
According to the Ministry, the effort reflects government’s commitment to skills development, job creation, and sustainable urban growth.