The FG will train 10,000 artisans annually under NASAP to improve housing quality and job creation through practical skills and digital certification
The Federal Government has launched the NASAP artisan training programme to equip 10,000 Nigerians yearly with certified construction skills vital to the housing sector.
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The National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP), spearheaded by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, will train artisans across ten high-demand trades.
Minister Ahmed Dangiwa presented the initiative at the 6th National Council on Skills chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja.
He described NASAP as a “digital craft hub” that would function like Uber for artisans.
“It’s not just a training scheme but a nationwide effort to professionalise artisanship and connect skills directly to jobs,” he said.
Artisans who complete the six-month training will be digitally profiled and listed on a national database accessible to contractors and developers.
Each profile will show location, trade, ratings, and past work history. Training will combine classroom teaching, mentorship, and jobsite experience.
It will focus on trades including plumbing, bricklaying, electrical works, and tiling. Others include screeding, POP, welding, carpentry, and HVAC systems.
In the pilot phase, 3,000 artisans will be trained in select states. Nationwide rollout will begin in 2026, with regional centres of excellence established by 2027.
The programme will initially operate through government funding before integrating support from partners such as the World Bank, UNDP, GIZ, and ESG-aligned investors.
To ensure standardisation, the Council urged the Ministry to align the NASAP artisan training curriculum with national technical education frameworks.
Dangiwa noted that many housing projects suffer from poor workmanship. “This programme will raise construction standards and create local employment while reducing dependence on foreign artisans.”
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With sustained support, the NASAP artisan training scheme could significantly improve Nigeria’s housing quality and economic opportunities.
