The Federal Government has partnered with Polaris Capital to train and certify 100,000 construction artisans.
The National Artisan Skills Acquisition Program will boost jobs, improve building standards, and modernize Nigeria’s construction workforce.
The Federal Government has signed a partnership with Polaris Capital Limited to train, certify, and provide job placements for 100,000 construction artisans across Nigeria under the newly launched National Artisan Skills Acquisition Program (NASAP).
The agreement was formalized on September 2, 2025, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and Polaris Capital. The initiative aims to modernize Nigeria’s construction workforce, improve building standards, and create sustainable jobs for youths and artisans.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, said the programme would strengthen technical capacity in the sector while promoting inclusivity by engaging women, young people, and persons with disabilities.
“NASAP is a nationwide intervention designed to train, certify, and digitally connect 100,000 artisans in priority construction trades to job opportunities across Nigeria,” the ministry stated.
The three-year program will be financed through federal budget allocations, private sector partnerships, and donor support. It will also introduce a digital platform to verify artisans’ skills, link them to employers, and generate revenue to sustain the project beyond the MoU period.
Polaris Capital CEO, Kelvin Vihishima described the partnership as a crucial step toward tackling unemployment and reducing quackery in the construction industry. He emphasized that professional training and certification would ensure a steady supply of skilled labor nationwide.
The MoU signing was officially endorsed by Dr. Belgore on behalf of the ministry and Vihishima on behalf of Polaris Capital.
Earlier this year, the ministry revealed plans to pilot NASAP with 3,000 artisans across three states, focusing on 10 high-demand construction trades, including bricklaying, plumbing, electrical installations, carpentry, welding, tiling, painting, POP and screeding, upholstery, and refrigeration/air conditioning.
The full rollout is expected to scale nationwide in 2026, with Regional Centers of Excellence to follow in 2027.
