Artisans - News Agency Of Nigeria

Ismail Abdulaziz
Sep, Wed, 2025

Artisans key to economic growth, national development– ITF DG

By Daniel Obaje

Dr Afiz Ogun, Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), says Nigerian artisans are vital to national development and must be supported to fully contribute to economic growth.

Ogun said this at a national exhibition and fair of artisans and technicians in Abuja, where he noted that the Federal Government had begun to restore dignity to the sector after decades of neglect.

“What we should take home is that you see artisans in Nigeria have been forgotten. But today, this government of President Bola Tinubu remembered them and he is saying that he is going to lift them up. He did not only promise them during the campaign, he has started lifting them up.”

The ITF boss added that training of artisans is ongoing nationwide with emphasis on technical skills as well as ethics and patriotism.

“Government has ordered us to train them both in their technical area and the soft skill which they need for their trade.”

Also speaking, Mr Adeshina Akinyemi, National Coordinator of the Artisan and Technicians Association of Nigeria (ASNAT), described the Abuja event as the largest convergence of artisans in Africa.

“As you can see, it is a convergence of all artisan associations and groups in Nigeria and you know Nigeria has the largest population in Africa.”

He said the exhibition showcased innovations such as a made in Minna motorbike and school furniture created from tire waste, stressing that such local products could translate into economic empowerment.

“Definitely, what we are seeking for is government intervention, assistance to help promote local goods and local contents, that is how it will in turn benefit everyone and create more economic empowerment for all Nigerian artisans and technicians.

“With the help of ITF, who has been upscaling us and trying to regulate our activities and our sector, definitely the days of quacks in Nigerian artisans are limited and with time no one will hear of them.”

In his remarks, Mr Sanusi Rikiji, former Speaker of Zamfara State House of Assembly and National Patron of ASNAT, said artisans remained central to Nigeria’s workforce and economy, noting that their skills, creativity and resilience sustain everyday life and national productivity

“Trade is a vital lifeline of able nations and is similar to the artery in the human body, therefore, the commitment of Nigerian artisans and technicians, skilled craftsmen and women to nation building cannot be overemphasized because (they) constitutes greater number of Nigeria’s workforce.

“I charge Nigerian artisans and technicians to mentor the next generation of upcoming artisans so that there can be continuity and sustainability because exhibitions provide a platform for showing our cultural heritage and contribute to the national development,” he said.

The exhibition and fair brought together artisans and technicians from across Nigeria, who displayed locally made products and explore strategies for strengthening skills for national development. (NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Nigerian artisans, technicians commend FG’s skill up programme

Ismail Abdulaziz
Jun, Tue, 2025

General News

Nigerian artisans, technicians commend FG’s skill up programme

By Aderonke Ojediran

Nigerian artisans and technicians, under the platform of the Association of Nigerian Artisans and Technicians (ASNAT) have commended the Federal Government’s Skill Up Artisans (SUPA) programme.

It said that the programme has made a significant impact on Nigerian artisans and technicians by enabling them to improve their skills and productivity.

Mr Adeshina Akinyemi, National Coordinator of ASNAT, disclosed this at a press conference on Monday in Abuja.

It was during the activities and appraisals of the SUPA Programme implemented by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Federal Government’s SUPA programme, managed by the ITF, is an initiative to empower 10 million Nigerian artisans.

The programme aims to up-skill, license, and provide artisans with access to toolkits, and promoting industry standards.

Akinyemi said that the programme had helped members scale up and add value to economic growth.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for designing the programme and the new leadership of ITF led by Dr Oluwatoyin Ogun, for its implementation.

He enjoined the government to focus on implementing programmes that would help the administration achieve its Renewed Hope agenda.

The National Coordinator said that ASNAT would continue to collaborate with the ITF to promote the growth and development of artisans and technicians in Nigeria.

He said: “Having appraised the activities of the Skill Up Artisans (SUPA) Programme and its positive impact on all Nigerian artisans and technicians, we, therefore, pass a vote of confidence on the programme and score the executorial agency, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) A1, in the implementation and operations of SUPA.’’

He decried the negative assessment of the programme in some quarters, saying it was not a true reflection of the benefits enjoyed by the artisans and technicians.

“This claim, by a faceless group called Concerned Citizens Advocates for Institutional Accountability, is not only false but also malicious and blackmail.

“We urge the public, the National Assembly and the President to disregard this faceless group and its publication and focus on the numerous achievements and successes of the ITF under Dr. Ogun’s leadership.

‘’We also call on the President to, as a matter of urgency, call to order or caution those angry minds who are disturbing and distracting the Director General of ITF.”

Also speaking, ASNAT Lady President, Mrs Jaiyeola Olatunji, explained that 100,000 artisans have been trained and the next phase of training of artisans would be rolled out soon.

The National Secretary of ASNAT, Mr Bari Moses, disclosed that the purpose of the SUPA Programme was to equip Nigerian artisans to world standard.

‘’We as artisans are the direct beneficiaries of this programme, and it is important that we come out to state clearly that it was for our own benefit and we benefited from it,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Mohammed Oshioke, a member of the National Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), FCT chapter, urged governments to empower artisans and technicians with start-up funds after training.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Artisans key to inclusive economic growth, says BOI

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jun, Wed, 2025

Economy/Business

Artisans key to inclusive economic growth, says BOI

By Lucy Ogalue

The Bank of Industry (BOI) has described Nigerian artisans and technicians as the backbone of inclusive economic growth and key to the country’s future industrial development.

The Managing Director of BOI, Dr Olasupo Olusi, said at the Nigerian Artisans Leadership Summit 2025, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Olusi said that with more than 12 million artisans nationwide, the sector held immense potential for grassroots enterprise and national transformation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the summit was themed “Unlocking the Inherent Potential of Nigerian Artisans and Technicians”.

It brought together artisan leaders, development partners, government officials, and other stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities within the informal sector.

Olusi was represented by Ms Mabel Ndagi, Executive Director, Public Sector and Intervention Programmes of the bank.

He said that the bank’s vision for inclusive development was centred on enabling artisans to thrive through better access to finance, training and integration into formal economic systems.

“The theme of this summit goes to the heart of inclusive development.

“It reflects a vision of Nigeria where talent is not wasted due to lack of support and where informal skills are not excluded from formal opportunities,”he said.

Olusi identified several key challenges artisans faced, including limited access to affordable finance, outdated equipment, poor business structures, lack of export participation and inadequate research and development.

To address these issues, Olusi said that BOI had structured its 2025 to 2027 corporate strategy around six thematic pillars.

“These include supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), youth empowerment and skills development and digital economy expansion.

“It also includes advancing climate sustainability, investing in critical infrastructure and promoting gender inclusion.

“These focus areas are not just bureaucratic categories, they are lenses through which we are re-imagining support for artisans and grassroots entrepreneurs,” he explained.

Olusi reaffirmed BOI’s commitment to providing both financial and advisory support to Nigerian enterprises that sustain local economies and spur national growth.

“Our vision as a development finance institution is to transform Nigeria’s industrial landscape by empowering the enterprises that power this nation.

“At the heart of this vision are artisans and grassroots entrepreneurs like you.

“And true national development cannot be outsourced or imported, but must be built by skilled hands and passionate hearts,” he said.

The Artisan Leadership Summit marks another step in BOI’s broader drive to deepen financial inclusion, unlock the potential within the informal sector and promote sustainable livelihoods across the country. (NAN)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu

ITF, SMEDAN, others seek recognition, licensing for artisans

Ismail Abdulaziz
Jun, Wed, 2025

General News

ITF, SMEDAN, others seek recognition, licensing for artisans

By Daniel Obaje

The Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr Afiz Ogun, has called for a national framework to train, certify and license Nigerian artisans to eliminate quackery and promote global competitiveness in the sector.

He made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of the Nigerian Artisans’ Leadership Summit (NALSUM), with the theme “Towards a Successful NATEF 2025,” organised by the Association of Nigerian Artisans and Technicians (ASNAT).

Ogun said that the initiative was driven by the vision of President Bola Tinubu to upskill Nigerian artisans to international standards through proper training and certification.

“Licensing every artisan in Nigeria will eliminate quackery. What we see now is not that artisans are not good enough, but too many quacks have infiltrated the space. This initiative will separate trained hands from unskilled ones.”

According to him, previous training programmes has failed to yield tangible impact because artisans were left without opportunities to showcase their skills or access support.

“In the past, they got trained and returned home to ride motorcycles or remain idle because no one carried them along, but the president has now given ITF the mandate to change that narrative.”

He also revealed that ITF was working with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) to ensure local industries prioritise Nigerian artisans over foreign labour.

“Some companies still go as far as China or the Philippines to hire workers, that has to stop because we have competent artisans right here and we will build their capacity to match global standards.”

Also speaking, the National Coordinator of ASNAT, Adeshina Akinyemi, said the summit was designed to strengthen leadership across artisan associations and prepare them for the upcoming Nigerian Artisan Talent and Exhibition Fair (NATEF), slated for September.

“This particular programme is to give our association leaders the right training in areas like data and information management, as well as association administration, we want them to return to their states with knowledge that will change how they operate and lead.”

In his remarks, Mr Sanusi Rikiji, former speaker Zamfara State house of assembly and National Patron of ASNAT, stressed the central role artisans and technicians play in Nigeria’s private sector, describing them as the “movers of the micro-economy.”

“We have over 30 registered trade associations under ASNAT, and they are a major source of employment for our youth, this annual summit brings members from all 36 states and the FCT together to exchange ideas and plan a roadmap for the future.”

Rikiji applauded the ITF’s effort in building a national artisan database, revealing that more than 1,000 artisans had already been registered.

“The target is about 8 million. That national register will help our members benefit from programmes by the World Bank, Bank of Industry and other institutions. It is a game-changer in accessing loans and support.”

Representing the Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr Moshood Lawal, Head of Corporate Affairs, emphasised the collaborative role of government institutions in artisan empowerment.

“The Bank of Industry, SMEDAN, and ITF are sister agencies under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. While ITF handles technical training, BOI provides funding and SMEDAN takes care of entrepreneurship education.

“You cannot leave artisans with only technical knowledge, they need financial access and entrepreneurial skill to grow.

“We are working to ensure artisans get affordable funding at single-digit interest rates, unlike the high rates from commercial banks.” (NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Union trains 100 artisans on CNG conversion in FCT

Philip Daniel Yatai
Feb, Wed, 2025

Oil & Gas

Union trains 100 artisans on CNG conversion in FCT

By Gabriel Agbeja

The Amalgamated Union of Motor Mechanics and Technicians of Nigeria (AUOMMATION) has offered free training on conversion from petrol to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to 100 artisans in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Its National President, Mr Oseni Suleiman, disclosed this in Abuja while speaking with newsmen on the union’s structural operational guidelines in line with National Policy Priorities.

Suleiman said the next move was to launch the initiative in Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo States.

“This union was registered on Oct. 6, 2023. In November 2023, we planned to train 5, 000 artisans on conversion of petrol energy to CNG. Within 15 months, we have completed this training of 100 artisans free in FCT.

“We have requested support from the Federal Government, FCT Minister, Industrial Training Funds (ITF), National Automotive Design Development Council (NADDC).

“We regret to say that the help is yet to come while the training is still on. We appeal to the government at all levels to support us on this laudable venture,” he said.

Suleiman said that the union held its maiden National Executive Council (NEC)/ Special National Delegate Conference (SNDC) on Jan. 30. where the union achievements were itemised.

He recalled that the union was inaugurated on Aug.13, 2024 at the national level, adding that the CNG Training Centre in Abuja and the Abuja Chapter of AUOMMATION were launched on Oct. 5, 2024.

He said efforts had been made to expand the union from Abuja to Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Edo, Niger, Kano, Osun, Nasarawa and Delta.

The president emphasised the need for the union to have permanent office for the national operations, vehicle for operations, stationeries and other needs of a secretariat.

Others, he said, were books, jackets, files, bags for the finance office and administrative clerks for the office of president and deputies. (NAN)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab