The Family Homes Artisans Skills Training (FAST) Programme provided industry-recognised certification, practical experience, starter toolkits and links to employers in Abuja and Katsina State.
The AfDB supported the initiative with a $1 million grant from the Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
Family Homes Funds Limited implemented the programme to address shortages of qualified artisans as Nigeria expands housing and infrastructure development.
Participants received classroom and practical training in masonry, carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, painting and tiling.
In Abuja, 72 artisans gained experience at the Renewed Hope City housing development before being linked to employment opportunities involving the project and development partners.
The programme later expanded to Katsina, where another 500 people completed intensive technical training. Independent assessments conducted under Nigeria’s National Skills Qualification framework recorded a 98% pass rate. “Before, I had limited practical experience in electrical installations,” Abuja Engineer and Civil Servant Ansa Umana said.
“Through the training, I learned wiring, installation techniques and safety procedures. The skills have given me the confidence to take on more responsibilities at work and pursue opportunities I would previously have avoided.”
FAST also provided monthly stipends and trade-specific starter toolkits to help graduates enter professional practice.
Women accounted for 94 of the 572 graduates, including 81 participants trained in Katsina. “Today, I can confidently carry out plastering and block work alongside my male colleagues,” Abuja Masonry Graduate Eucharia Onah said.
“The programme gave me the skills and confidence to succeed and showed me what women can achieve in construction work.”
Katsina Carpentry Graduate Sa’idu Rabiu entered the programme without previous experience in the trade.
“Before, I had never practised carpentry,” Rabiu said. “Today, I can measure, cut and build with confidence.”
Family Homes Funds Limited is developing a digital database that will connect certified artisans with developers, contractors and other employers across Nigeria.
“Through FAST, hundreds of young Nigerians have moved from training to employment opportunities,” AfDB Acting Vice-President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery Dr Abdul Kamara said.
The programme aims to train approximately 2 000 artisans by the end of 2026.
–AfDB/ChannelAfrica–
