FG companions Polaris Capital to kickstart coaching of 100,000 building artisans nationwide 

The Federal Authorities has partnered with Polaris Capital Restricted to kickstart the coaching, certification, and job placement of 100,000 building artisans throughout Nigeria.

The settlement, formalized via a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on September 2, 2025, marks the launch of a nationwide initiative to bridge abilities gaps within the housing and building sector, as disclosed in an announcement on the ministry’s web site.

Everlasting Secretary of the Housing and City Improvement Ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, stated the initiative is designed to modernize Nigeria’s building workforce. He highlighted that the programme would strengthen technical capability, create sustainable employment for younger individuals and artisans, and promote inclusivity by partaking girls, youth, and individuals with disabilities.

“The Federal Ministry of Housing and City Improvement and Polaris Capital Restricted has immediately September 2nd, 2025, formalized a strategic partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to kick-start the Nationwide Artisan Expertise Acquisition Programme (NASAP). 

“NASAP is a nationwide intervention programme designed to coach, certify, and digitally join 100,000 artisans in precedence building trades to job alternatives throughout Nigeria,” the assertion learn partly.  

Extra insights  

The three-year initiative can be funded via federal funds allocations, non-public sector funding, and donor contributions. It additionally features a digital reserving and verification platform that may join artisans on to job alternatives whereas producing income to maintain the programme past the MoU interval.

• Polaris Capital Restricted’s CEO, Kelvin Vihishima, described the partnership as an important step towards decreasing unemployment and reforming the housing business. He famous that coaching and certification would assist curb quackery in building and make expert manpower obtainable nationwide.

• The assertion careworn that the pact displays the Ministry’s dedication to abilities improvement, job creation, and sustainable city progress, anchored on accountability and long-term financial influence.

The signing ceremony concluded with the official endorsement of the MoU by Dr. Belgore on behalf of the Ministry and Mr. Vihishima on behalf of Polaris Capital Restricted.

What it is best to know  

Nairametrics had earlier reported in June that the Federal Authorities, via the Ministry of Housing and City Improvement, deliberate to pilot the Nationwide Artisan Expertise Acquisition Programme (NASAP) in 2025.

• The pilot focused 3,000 artisans for six months of intensive coaching throughout three chosen states, overlaying 10 high-demand building trades. The initiative is designed to equip Nigerian youth with sensible, market-ready abilities, enhance housing high quality, and handle the scarcity of expert labour within the building sector.
• NASAP goals to professionalize artisanship, bridge the development abilities hole, and enhance constructing requirements nationwide. The programme will roll out in three phases: a 2025 pilot for 3,000 artisans, a nationwide scale-up in 2026, and the creation of Regional Centres of Excellence in 2027.

Trades included within the programme vary from bricklaying and masonry, plumbing, electrical installations, carpentry, portray, welding, tiling, POP and screeding, upholstery, to air con and refrigeration.The pilot states and begin date had been but to be introduced on the time of reporting.