By John Ogunsemore
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa said the ministry plans to create an online application for skilled workers.
This, he said, is aimed at leveraging technology to make artisans more visible, accessible and efficient in delivering their services.
Dangiwa made this disclosure when he received the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development, Hon. Adamson Ayinde and his team on a courtesy visit at the ministry’s headquarters, Abuja.
He explained that the digital platform to be named ‘Uber for Artisans’ will serve as an online market place where trained and certified artisans can connect with potential customers, adding the platform would enhance the earning potential of artisans and ensure that customers have access to skilled professionals for their construction needs.
“I believe that the Uber for Excel platform will be a game changer in the construction industry, as it will not only bridge a gap between supply and demand, but also promoting transparency and quality service delivery”, he stated.
Dangiwa commended the passion and proactive initiatives of the office of the SSA, which aligns with the federal government’s agenda, particularly in vocational training, skills acquisition and youth empowerment.
The minister restated that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development was driving the president’s vision for addressing the housing deficit in Nigeria through renewed housing programmes which aim to build seven cities, one in each geopolitical zone of the country and FCT, and 30 renewed hope estates across the country.
He informed that construction work was ongoing at 14 sites for 10,112 housing units, with significant portions expected to be commissioned within the next couple of months, providing jobs for over 252,000 Nigerians.
Stating further that construction sites were a source of employment for various skilled and unskilled labourers, the minister noted that the quality of work done by these artisans were crucial to delivering decent and quality housing to Nigerians.
To this effect, Dangiwa revealed that the ministry has conceived the National Artisan Skill Acquisition Programme (NASA) to address the shortage of skilled artisans in the construction industry and provide sustainable livelihoods for young Nigerians.
He said the NASA programme to be launched within the year aims to equip youths with construction-related skills such as plumbing, electrical works, masonry, carpentry, among others.
“These skills are not only essential for construction sector, but also contribute to the economic, overall economic development of our nation,” he added.
The minister also explained that the programme would work with relevant government agencies, institutions, and the private sector to train and certify artisans.
The minister further disclosed that the ministry was in the process of completing and habitating its vocational training centres in various locations, including Abuja, Lagos and Imo states.
Speaking earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development, Hon. Adamson Ayinde, commended the minister for his efforts in advancing the Renewed Hope Housing Development programme.
While acknowledging the minister’s leadership and the sustainable housing solutions, he highlighted key challenges which include a shortage of skilled artisans.
To address this, he noted that his office was collaborating with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the department of Federal Public Assets Maintenance (FPAM) to propose a six-month training and certification programme for Nigerian artisans.
He noted that the initiative aims to strengthen the local workforce, enhance construction quality and ensure Nigerian artisans can compete internationally.
Ayinde further told the minister that a formal proposal outlining the implementation framework, training curriculum, and expected outcomes would be submitted.