The Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr Afiz Ogun, has emphasised that Nigerian artisans are vital to national development and must be supported to fully contribute to economic growth.
Dr Ogun made this remark at a national exhibition and fair of artisans and technicians held in Abuja, the nation’s capital. He noted that the Nigerian government has 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, the government of President Bola Tinubu remembered them, and he is saying that he is going to lift them. He did not only promise them during the campaign, he has started lifting them up,” he said.
The ITF boss added that the training of artisans is ongoing nationwide, with emphasis on both technical skills and ethics and patriotism.
“Government has ordered us to train them both in their technical area and the soft skills which they need for their trade,” he said.
In his remarks, the National Coordinator of the Artisan and Technicians Association of Nigeria (ASNAT), Mr Adeshina Akinyemi, described the Abuja exhibition as the largest convergence of artisans in Africa.
Mr Akinyemi highlighted innovations showcased at the exhibition, including a “made-in-Minna” motorbike and school furniture created from tyre waste, stressing that such local products could drive economic empowerment.
“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.
He added, “What we are seeking is government intervention and assistance to help promote local goods and local content. 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, which 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.”
Also, Former Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly and National Patron of ASNAT, Mr Sanusi Rikiji, highlighted the role of creativity and resilience in sustaining national productivity. He stressed that artisans remain central to Nigeria’s workforce and economy.
“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 overemphasised because they constitute a large part 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 national development,” he said.
The exhibition and fair brought together artisans and technicians from across Nigeria, who displayed locally made products and explored strategies for strengthening skills for national development.