The Federal Government has announced initiatives to create a digital platform aimed at linking skilled artisans with job openings in the construction industry.
This project, dubbed “Uber for Artisans,” seeks to establish an online platform that improves the visibility, accessibility, and effectiveness of skilled laborers.
In a meeting with the senior special assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development, Adamson Ayinde, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa made this notice.
He emphasized that “In addition to increasing the potential of craftsmen, this platform will create conditions for businessmen and customers to find experts who are eligible for their construction requirements.
“To address the shortage of skilled workers in the construction industry and promote sustainable employment for youth in Nigeria, the ministry has launched the National Artisan Skill Acquisition Program, known as NASA,” Dangiwa noted.
“Set to begin this year, NASA aims to equip young people with essential skills in construction, including plumbing, electrical work, masonry, and carpentry,” he added.
The initiative will partner with appropriate government bodies, educational organizations, and businesses to provide thorough training and certification for craftsmen.
In support of this effort, the ministry is focused on finalizing and launching vocational training facilities in Abuja, Lagos, and Imo States.
The proposed budget for 2025 includes funding for these facilities, highlighting the administration’s dedication to addressing the skills shortage within the construction industry.
Dangiwa revealed intentions to renovate current institutions in the upcoming months to function as centers for practical training and skill development.
“A committee will be established within three months to design a training structure and participate with the main stakeholders, including associations in the construction industry.”
This global approach demonstrates the Government’s commitment to the use of training programs and target technology to revive the construction industry and empower craftsmen across the country.