The Industrial Training Fund has concluded plans to commence a major skills development initiative targeted at training and upskilling 100,000 artisans in Nigeria’s construction sector, in a move aimed at addressing persistent manpower shortages and improving standards in the industry.
The programme, which is being executed in partnership with the Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria, is expected to be rolled out in phases across the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Jos by the Head of Press and Public Relations Unit of the ITF, Ngor Thomas, the Fund said the initiative would focus on equipping artisans with practical and technical competencies in key construction trades, including masonry, carpentry and joinery, tiling, electrical installation, plaster of Paris, and plumbing and pipe fitting.
According to the statement, the official launch of the programme is scheduled for April 21, 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, where government officials, captains of industry, and stakeholders in the construction sector are expected to converge.
Among dignitaries billed to attend the launch are the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, and the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, who are expected as Special Guests of Honour.
Also expected at the event are the Chairman of Dangote Group and President of CTIN, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu; Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Cement, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi; and the Director-General of ITF, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Ogun described the partnership with CTIN as a strategic intervention designed to bridge the widening skills gap in Nigeria’s construction industry.
He noted that the collaboration comes at a critical time when the country is grappling with repeated cases of building collapse, many of which have been linked to poor workmanship, inadequate training, and non-compliance with construction standards.
According to him, the partnership is expected to tackle these challenges by improving artisans’ technical knowledge, encouraging adherence to approved building practices, and promoting professionalism within the sector.
Ogun further stated that the initiative would strengthen the Fund’s flagship Skill-Up Artisans Programme by introducing enhanced technical modules developed jointly with CTIN, while also exposing trainees to modern construction methods and standardised best practices in cement application.
He said the training would improve employability and earning capacity for beneficiaries by aligning their competencies with the expectations of major construction firms and employers in the sector.
The ITF boss added that certified participants would gain better visibility within the construction value chain, thereby increasing their chances of securing jobs, contracts, and entrepreneurial opportunities.
He maintained that beyond individual benefits, the programme would improve the quality of construction projects nationwide, deepen capacity building, raise industry standards, and support Nigeria’s broader economic growth agenda.
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