The Federal Government has unveiled a nationwide programme to train, certify, and provide job placement for 100,000 artisans in the construction sector, in partnership with Polaris Capital Limited.
The initiative, named the National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP), was formalised on Tuesday through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Abuja by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, and Polaris Capital’s Chief Executive Officer, Kelvin Vihishima.
According to the Ministry, the three-year scheme will be financed through federal budget allocations, private sector investments, and donor funding.
A digital platform will also be deployed to connect artisans directly to jobs while ensuring the programme generates revenue beyond its initial funding cycle.
Dr. Belgore said the project is designed to modernise Nigeria’s construction workforce and address the country’s shortage of skilled labour.
He added that it will provide sustainable employment opportunities for artisans, particularly women, youths, and persons with disabilities.
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Trades covered under NASAP include bricklaying, plumbing, carpentry, painting, welding, tiling, electrical installations, upholstery, screeding, POP, air conditioning, and refrigeration.
Polaris Capital CEO, Vihishima, described the collaboration as a strategic step toward reducing unemployment and tackling quackery in the construction industry. “This programme will reform the housing sector by making skilled and certified manpower available nationwide,” he said.
The programme will be implemented in phases, beginning with a 2025 pilot scheme targeting 3,000 artisans across three states for six months of training in high-demand trades.
A nationwide rollout is scheduled for 2026, with Regional Centres of Excellence planned for 2027.
Details of the pilot states and official commencement date are expected to be announced soon.