The Federal Government has unveiled the National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP), a bold initiative aimed at training and certifying 10,000 artisans annually to meet the rising demands of Nigeria’s housing sector. The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, presented the programme at the 6th National Council on Skills held recently at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Describing NASAP as a “digital craft hub” and “an Uber for artisans,” Dangiwa said the scheme is designed to raise the quality of housing delivery by equipping youth with practical, market-ready skills across 10 high-demand construction trades. These include bricklaying, plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, welding, tiling, and more.
The programme will digitally profile certified artisans into a national database, accessible to developers and the public, with each profile showing skills, location, work history, and ratings to foster trust and visibility. The initial phase begins in 2025 with a pilot in select states, followed by a nationwide rollout in 2026, and the creation of Regional Centres of Excellence in 2027.
NASAP will be implemented through a Public-Private Partnership model, with the Ministry providing seed funding and collaborating with partners such as the World Bank, AFDB, UNDP, and ESG-focused investors. The Council has also advised closer alignment with the National Board for Technical Education to ensure national certification standards are met.
