Training for the African Development Bank (AfDB) funded Artisan Skill Training (FAST) programme has commenced in Katsina State, marking a significant step toward strengthening self-sufficiency in Nigeria’s construction sector.
The initiative, promoted by Family Homes Funds Limited, aims to professionalise the housing value chain by equipping 500 young Nigerians with globally recognised skills.
The Katsina launch is the first phase of a rollout across 12 states, supported by a $1 million technical assistance grant from the Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
In a statement obtained by The News Chronicle on Wednesday, the FAST Project Lead, Mrs. Monsurat Muhammed, outlined the benefits awaiting successful participants.
According to her, graduates will receive Nigerian Skills Qualification (NSQ) certification, starter packs for immediate employment, and enrolment in the FHFL database for future deployment to housing projects nationwide.
Muhammed explained that the programme is designed to produce a “market-ready” workforce that meets international standards. Following the Katsina pilot, the FAST programme is scheduled to expand to Abia, Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Bauchi, Delta, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Niger and Ogun states.
Speaking at the training centre, the Katsina State Coordinator, Bldr. Hamzat Isah, expressed confidence in the calibre of trainees and the programme’s long-term economic impact.
“With this kind of training, we will now have local experts who can handle complex painting, carpentry and POP work. We will no longer need to look outside our borders to Ghana or Togo for skilled artisans,” Isah said.
The programme offers hands-on instruction in high-demand trades, including masonry, electrical wiring, tiling, painting and plumbing. Isah also highlighted growing female participation, noting that women make up 28 per cent of the trainees, an encouraging shift in traditionally male-dominated trades.
The initiative has received strong backing from the Katsina State Government as Governor Dikko Umaru Radda will be providing logistical support, including feeding and accommodation for participants, as part of his administration’s focus on youth empowerment.
