The Federal Government has signed a partnership agreement with Polaris Capital Limited to train, certify and connect 100,000 construction artisans to job opportunities nationwide.
The deal, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday, launched the National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP), a three-year initiative aimed at modernising Nigeria’s construction workforce.
According to a statement on the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s website, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, said the scheme would boost technical capacity, generate sustainable employment, and promote inclusivity by engaging women, young people and persons with disabilities.
“NASAP is a nationwide intervention programme designed to train, certify and digitally connect 100,000 artisans in priority construction trades to job opportunities across Nigeria,” Belgore said.
The programme will be financed through federal allocations, private sector investment and donor support. It will also feature a digital booking and verification platform that links artisans directly to jobs, while generating revenue to sustain the programme beyond the MoU period.
At the signing ceremony, Polaris Capital’s Chief Executive Officer, Kelvin Vihishima, described the initiative as an important step towards tackling unemployment and reforming the housing sector. He noted that structured training and certification would help curb quackery in construction and expand access to skilled labour across the country.
The statement added that the partnership underscores the ministry’s commitment to skills development, job creation and sustainable urban growth, anchored on accountability and long-term economic impact.
