Nigerian Artisans Endorse Tinubu for Second Term, Hold Three-Day Leadership Summit
Artisans and technicians from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), under the aegis of the Association of Nigerian Artisans and Technicians (ASNAT), have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 presidential election.
The group attributed its decision to the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration, which it said had created economic opportunities and improved the welfare of artisans and technicians across the country.
The endorsement was announced in Abuja during the 2nd Nigerian Artisans’ Leadership Summit (NALSUM) 2026, a three-day event focused on leadership development, skills acquisition and economic empowerment.
Speaking at the summit, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, representing Zamfara West Senatorial District, urged ASNAT members to remain united in their support for the Tinubu administration.
Represented by former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Senator Tijani Kaura, Yari described artisans and technicians as critical contributors to national development and economic growth.
He also highlighted several programmes and policies of the Tinubu administration which, he said, had benefited members of the sector.
Yari described ASNAT as a formidable organisation with a large membership capable of significantly influencing electoral outcomes.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations and National Patron of ASNAT, Rt. Hon. Sanusi Rikiji, formally announced the association’s endorsement of President Tinubu for a second term.
Rikiji said several initiatives under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda were designed to expand economic opportunities for artisans, technicians and other professionals.
He said Tinubu remained committed to addressing the challenges confronting workers across various sectors, describing the President as a nationalist and statesman whose commitment to national reforms would be appreciated by future generations.
According to Rikiji, many members of ASNAT’s 12.5 million registered membership have benefited from various Renewed Hope programmes implemented through government agencies and initiatives.
“It is an understatement to reiterate and re-emphasise that artisans and technicians are the backbone of Nigeria’s industrialisation, economic diversification and sustainable development,” he said.
On the significance of NALSUM, Rikiji said the summit was designed to provide a platform for members to upgrade their skills, strengthen leadership capacity and reposition themselves for greater economic opportunities.
“NALSUM is not just a meeting. It is the most important platform we have to upgrade, upskill and reposition our members for leadership, dignity and prosperity for our dear country,” he said.
The National Coordinator of ASNAT, Comrade Adeshina Akinyemi, commended the Tinubu administration for its policies and programmes and pledged the association’s continued support for the President.
Akinyemi said ASNAT would continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to improve the welfare and economic well-being of its members.
He described the summit as an opportunity to celebrate the resilience of artisans and technicians while equipping them with knowledge and skills to formalise their businesses, expand their operations and access emerging economic opportunities.
He also acknowledged Senator Yari’s efforts to mobilise support for President Tinubu’s re-election, saying artisans and technicians across Nigeria remained committed to working with him towards the President’s success.
“As we begin this three-day transformative leadership training, I encourage every participant to pay close attention to the resource persons, training modules and strategic sessions,” Akinyemi said.
“The knowledge you gain here is meant to help you formalise your businesses, expand your operations and access modern economic opportunities. Let us maximise this platform.”
Some artisans and technicians at the summit also commended the Tinubu administration for what they described as its empowerment initiatives, expressing their readiness to mobilise support for the President’s re-election in the 2027 polls.
The Nigerian Artisans’ Leadership Summit attracted senior government officials, leaders of 29 affiliated associations representing artisans and technicians across the 36 states and the FCT, members of the Diplomatic Corps, as well as partners from the private sector and development agencies.
