FG to Launch National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme

 

The Federal Government is set to launch the National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP) in 2025, beginning with a pilot phase that will train 3,000 artisans across three selected states.

 

The six-month intensive programme is designed to equip Nigerian youth with practical, market-ready skills in 10 high-demand construction trades.

 

According to a statement published Sunday on the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s website, the Minister, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, officially presented NASAP during the 6th National Council on Skills meeting, chaired by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

 

Dangiwa described NASAP as a flagship intervention under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The programme aims to professionalize artisanship, bridge the construction skills gap, and improve housing quality and building standards nationwide.

 

NASAP will be implemented in three phases:

 

2025 – Pilot phase in three states, targeting 3,000 artisans

 

2026 – Nationwide rollout

 

2027 – Establishment of Regional Centres of Excellence

 

 

While the pilot states and official start date are yet to be announced, preparations are underway to ensure a smooth launch.

 

 

Highlighting the programme’s goals, Dangiwa noted that substandard workmanship continues to compromise safety and quality in housing projects across Nigeria.

 

He emphasized that NASAP is not just a training scheme but a national strategy to restore standards and connect skilled artisans with employment opportunities.

 

Vice President Shettima lauded the initiative as both timely and visionary, stating that its effective implementation could significantly reduce the country’s persistent shortage of skilled labour in the construction industry.

 

The six-month training will combine classroom learning, hands-on practicals, mentorship, and on-site job exposure. Participants will receive instruction in the following 10 high-demand construction trades:

 

Bricklaying and Masonry

 

Plumbing and Pipefitting

 

Electrical Installations

 

Carpentry and Woodwork

 

Painting and Decorative Finishes

 

Welding and Fabrication

 

Tiling and Floor Finishing

 

POP and Screeding

 

Upholstery and Furniture Craft

 

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

 

 

Digital Platform and Training Centres

 

A key component of NASAP is Craft-Hub, a digital platform that will profile certified artisans—enabling developers, contractors, and the general public to easily locate and hire skilled professionals, similar to ride-hailing apps but for the artisan workforce.

 

Training will initially be conducted at existing Building Craft Training Schools in Kuje (FCT) and Yaba (Lagos), with plans to establish new centres in Imo and Yobe States to expand access and capacity.

 

The programme will operate under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with initial funding provided by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. This structure is intended to ensure the sustainability and long-term success of the initiative.

 

NASAP represents a major step in tackling unemployment, improving housing standards, and professionalizing the construction sector—while

empowering a new generation of skilled Nigerian artisans.