In a bold move to strengthen Nigeria’s construction workforce, the Federal Government has unveiled a six‑month artisan training pilot under the National Artisan Skill Acquisition Programme (NASAP). Kicking off in three states, this initiative will equip 3,000 young Nigerians with professional certification in ten essential construction trades.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, speaking at the recent National Council on Skills meeting chaired by VP Kashim Shettima in Abuja, affirmed that NASAP targets sectors suffering from severe skills shortages. The training covers plumbing, electrical installation, bricklaying and masonry, carpentry, painting and decorative finishes, tiling and floor works, welding and fabrication, POP screeding, upholstery and furniture craft, as well as air conditioning and refrigeration
Set to begin this year, the pilot will run for six months in each chosen state, combining classroom instruction, hands-on practicals, mentorship and on-site exposure. The goal: not just to teach, but to certify artisans, raising construction standards and reducing incidents of poor workmanship that plague housing delivery nationwide
NASAP also features a cutting-edge digital platform, dubbed “Craft‑Hub” or “Uber for Artisans.” On completion, each certified artisan will be profiled in the system—complete with location, trade speciality, ratings and past projects—to connect them directly with developers, contractors and homeowners seeking verified professionals
The programme will leverage existing vocational centres in Kuje and Yaba, with expansion plans targeting Imo and Yobe. With a public–private partnership approach, initial federal funding under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda will be amplified by support from development partners such as the World Bank, AfDB, UNDP, GIZ, JICA and private investors committed to ESG goals
At scale, NASAP aims to train and certify up to 10,000 artisans annually—helping plug the nation’s skills gap, curb unemployment and boost local content in infrastructure development. Vice President Shettima hailed the scheme as “timely and visionary,” promising that, if executed well, it will uplift both the quality and safety of Nigeria’s built environment
By anchoring the training around certification and digital visibility, NASAP hopes to professionalise traditional trades, inspire youth participation and ensure Nigerian artisans can both meet domestic demand and compete globally—reducing reliance on foreign craftsmen who currently fill crucial roles in our major cities .
With this pilot, the FG is signaling that Nigeria’s housing and infrastructure ambitions rest not just on blueprints and budgets, but on the skilled hands of its people—and that digital innovation and vocational upliftment are central to delivering homes, jobs and quality craftsmanship across the land.
