The Federal Government has announced plans to open skill acquisition camps for artisans in all 36 states as part of a nationwide drive to strengthen the informal sector and boost economic growth.
The disclosure was made by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development during the opening ceremony of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) Summer Skills Acquisition Camp 2025. He explained that the initiative reflects government’s determination to invest in Nigeria’s future workforce by equipping young people with practical skills that support national development.
“Today, we are not just inaugurating a camp,” the Minister said. “We are investing in the future workforce of Nigeria. The foundation of national development lies not only in bricks and mortar, but in the hands that mould them, the minds that design them, and the skills that sustain them.”
The Minister noted that the Federal Government recently introduced 15 compulsory skills into the basic education system, describing it as a bold and strategic step to close the widening skills gap in the country. He added that the pilot camp, which is currently focused on masonry, plumbing, tiling, painting, and interior design, will serve as a model for wider replication across the federation.
The President of ARCON, who also spoke at the event, said the Council envisions the initiative growing into a national model that would be replicated across all geopolitical zones. He stressed that since every state is represented on the Council, it is realistic to anticipate that the programme will eventually cover all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. This, he said, would ensure that no aspiring artisan, builder, or designer is excluded from the opportunity to acquire relevant skills.
The government and ARCON both emphasised that developing artisan skills is essential to creating jobs, reducing unemployment, and building a stronger economy. By institutionalising skills acquisition from the grassroots level, the initiative seeks to empower young Nigerians to become self-reliant while also contributing to critical sectors such as housing, construction, and urban development.
Analysts believe the initiative, if sustained and properly scaled, could transform the informal sector into a more structured and productive segment of the economy. It could also provide small businesses in the building and construction space with access to a steady pipeline of trained artisans, thereby improving service delivery and professional standards nationwide.
