NDE, CATS Partner to Train One Million Construction Artisans by 2036
Nigeria Launches Large-Scale Artisan Training Programme to Boost Construction Sector
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has partnered with the Construction Artisan Training School (CATS) to train one million Nigerian youths in construction-related skills by 2036, in a large-scale effort to address the country’s skills deficit and unemployment challenges.
A Decade-Long Skills Development Initiative
The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in Abuja, launching the “Project One Million Construction Artisan Training Vision 2036.” The programme is designed as a ten-year intervention targeting both new entrants into the labour market and existing artisans requiring reskilling.
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According to project stakeholders, the initiative will be implemented through NDE’s nationwide training centres, leveraging existing infrastructure to ensure broad geographic coverage and accessibility.
The programme is fully funded by CATS and its partners, removing financial barriers for participants and enabling large-scale participation across Nigeria.
Addressing Nigeria’s Construction Skills Gap
Nigeria’s construction sector continues to face a shortage of skilled artisans, which has implications for project quality, delivery timelines, and overall sector productivity. The initiative directly targets this gap by equipping participants with in-demand technical skills.
Project Lead at CATS, Dr Olayemi Rotimi-Shodimu, stated that the programme will focus on practical, industry-relevant training aimed at improving employability and fostering entrepreneurship.
The initiative also includes reskilling components for artisans already operating in the informal sector, ensuring that existing workers can upgrade their competencies in line with modern construction standards.
Employment and Socioeconomic Impact
Beyond technical training, the programme is positioned as a broader socioeconomic intervention. Stakeholders expect it to generate both direct and indirect employment opportunities while reducing youth unemployment.
Officials noted that structured engagement in vocational training can help address social challenges, including youth involvement in crime and substance abuse, by creating sustainable income pathways.
The Director-General of NDE, Silas Agara, emphasised that the partnership aligns with the agency’s mandate to promote employment and entrepreneurship, adding that skills development remains a critical driver of economic growth.
Implications for Housing and Infrastructure Delivery
The initiative carries significant implications for Nigeria’s housing and infrastructure sectors. A more skilled artisan workforce can improve construction quality, reduce project delays, and enhance cost efficiency across residential and commercial developments.
For policymakers and developers, the programme represents a strategic investment in human capital that supports long-term sector stability. Improved access to skilled labour is expected to strengthen the execution capacity of both public and private construction projects.
In the context of Nigeria’s housing deficit, expanding the pool of trained artisans could accelerate housing delivery and improve building standards nationwide.
The NDE-CATS partnership to train one million construction artisans by 2036 marks a significant step toward addressing Nigeria’s labour market and infrastructure challenges. By combining nationwide training access with fully funded participation, the initiative provides a scalable model for workforce development.
Its long-term success will depend on effective implementation, industry alignment, and sustained stakeholder collaboration, but the programme positions skills development as a central pillar of Nigeria’s economic and housing strategy.
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