FG to Train 10,000 Artisans Yearly to Boost Housing and Create Jobs
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa
The Federal Government has announced plans to train and certify 10,000 artisans every year through the National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP). The aim is to provide young Nigerians with practical construction skills while improving the quality of housing projects across the country.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, introduced NASAP at the 6th National Council on Skills in Abuja, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
NASAP is more than just training – it is a digital system that works like “Uber for artisans.” Once trained, artisans will be certified, profiled, and connected to jobs through a national digital database that includes their location, trade, ratings, and job history.
What the Training Covers
The six-month training programme will combine classroom lessons, practical hands-on experience, mentorship, and worksite exposure. It will cover 10 construction-related skills:
Bricklaying and masonry
Plumbing and pipefitting
Electrical installations
Carpentry and woodwork
Painting and finishing
Welding and fabrication
Tiling and flooring
POP and screeding
Upholstery and furniture making
Air conditioning and refrigeration
Training will take place at existing centres in Kuje (Abuja) and Yaba (Lagos), with new centres to open in Imo and Yobe.
How to Benefit from NASAP
Young Nigerians interested in construction work should watch out for the programme’s pilot phase in 2025 (starting with 3,000 artisans).
In 2026, the programme will expand nationwide, with Regional Centres of Excellence planned for 2027.
Applications will be open to youths willing to learn and work, and selection will be based on demand in different regions.
Upon certification, artisans will be linked to real jobs via the Craft Hub, an online platform where developers and individuals can find trusted workers.
“We are building trust in skill… NASAP is not just another training scheme, but a national effort to professionalise artisanship and connect skills to jobs,” – Ahmed Dangiwa
NASAP offers a practical path for youths to gain relevant skills, earn decent income, and reduce reliance on foreign labour. By signing up and completing the training, Nigerians can unlock job opportunities and contribute to building a stronger housing sector.
