Vice President Kashim Shettima has emphasized the urgent need for coordinated national efforts to close Nigeria's growing skills gap, labeling it a critical factor in the country's economic transformation.
Speaking at the 6th National Council on Skills (NCS) meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Shettima highlighted the council's mission to strategically equip the Nigerian workforce for the demands of a modern and evolving economy. He stressed that national unity and collaboration are vital in addressing the skills deficit.
"This council exists to drive the development of a skilled workforce that can power national growth and prosperity," he said. The Vice President described the meeting as an inclusive forum for open dialogue, collective decision-making, and strong leadership to address Nigeria's employment and skills challenges.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was a proposal to conduct a National Skills Infrastructure Audit. This audit aims to establish a central database of existing training centres under various government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). It will involve physically inspecting facilities, verifying their operational status, and aligning them with national labour market needs and occupational standards.
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Also featured at the event was a presentation by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, on the National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP). The initiative targets training 10,000 artisans annually in critical construction trades.
NASAP is designed to formalize the informal artisan sector by offering certification and connecting skilled workers to a digital platform—the Digital Artisan Marketplace. The programme aims to reduce youth unemployment and close the skilled labour gap in the construction industry while supporting long-term infrastructure growth.
Dangiwa noted that the initiative is not only vital for empowering Nigerian youth with practical, in-demand skills but is also a strategic tool to support the Ministry's broader housing and development agenda.
