Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for coordinated national efforts to address Nigeria’s widening skills gap, describing it as a key driver of economic development.
Speaking during the 6th National Council on Skills (NCS) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Shettima said the Council’s goal is to prepare the workforce for the demands of today’s economy.
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“This council exists to drive the development of a skilled workforce that can power national growth and prosperity,” he stated.
He also said the NCS meeting serves as a platform for open dialogue and decision-making, which are necessary to address employment and skills challenges in the country.
National skills audit proposed
One of the main decisions from the meeting was a proposal to carry out a National Skills Infrastructure Audit. The audit will document existing training centres managed by various government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The process will include physical inspection of training facilities to confirm their operational status and ensure alignment with labour market needs and occupational standards.
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10,000 artisans to be trained annually
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, presented the National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP) at the event.
The initiative aims to train 10,000 artisans each year in critical construction-related skills. According to Dangiwa, NASAP will help reduce youth unemployment and formalise the informal artisan sector.
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The programme will also provide certification and connect artisans to a Digital Artisan Marketplace, helping them find opportunities across the country.
Dangiwa said the initiative will support broader housing and urban development plans by increasing the availability of skilled labour in the construction sector.
