Addressing long-standing gender imbalance and inequality within Nigeria’s construction industry, Inter-Bau Foundation (IBF) convened the Construction Tradeswomen Career Fair Day on Saturday, 31 January 2026, in Lekki Phase I, Lagos. The event brought together women and girls, industry professionals, policymakers, private & public sector actors and Civil Society Organisations for a full day of engagement including, career talks and hands-on skills demonstration and to expand access, visibility and practical pathways for women within construction trades and technical roles.

The event which was supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH programme – Skills Development for Youth Employment II, created space for participants to interact with the realities of construction careers, exchange ideas, and build meaningful connections across the value chain.

Doris Okechukwu Mbadiwe, Chief Executive Officer and Programme Director of Inter-Bau Foundation, in her welcome address recognised the gap in gender balance in Nigeria’s construction industry. According to her, Inter-Bau Foundation is set to bridge that gap in the country while encouraging young girls and students to tap the over 190 career opportunities available for them in the industry.

She said, “For far too long, construction has been a male-dominated space. Yet across sites, offices and workshops, women are proving every day that skill, excellence, and leadership have no gender. Women are engineers, architects, project managers, painters, tilers, builders, and entrepreneurs — shaping skylines and redefining possibilities.

Adding that, “At Inter-Bau Foundation, our mission is to bridge the gender gap in skills and employment in Nigeria’s construction sector. We believe vocational skills unlock dignity, decent work, and economic empowerment. When women gain access to technical training and opportunity, they do not just participate — they transform the industry.”

A major highlight of the day was the live skills demonstration competitions, where female artisans showcased their expertise across trades including masonry, carpentry, interior design and painting. The demonstrations offered tangible proof of women’s technical competence while challenging long-standing perceptions about gender roles in construction.

Also speaking at the event, Builder Kunle Awobodu, National President of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) and past National President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), reflected on long-standing challenges within the sector. He noted that discrimination against women in construction had been evident since his student days, describing it as a worrying trend. According to him, “Marriage and children tend to be major constraints for women in the construction industry.” He added that when women excel in traditionally male-dominated fields, patronage is often higher, encouraging women to leverage social media platforms to promote their skills and visibility.

Beyond technical demonstrations, the Career Fair Day also recognised excellence, leadership and allyship within the industry. Female trailblazers were acknowledged for their impact, alongside a HeForShe champion-Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement whose actions have supported gender inclusion. Organisations demonstrating gender-responsive practices aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 5 were also recognised.

Young girls were a key focus of the event, with secondary school students participating in an essay competition aimed at sparking early interest in construction-related careers. Surulere Girls Senior Secondary School, Lagos, emerged as the winner of the essay competition, highlighting the growing interest among young girls in construction-related career pathways.

The event was supported by a broad network of public and private sector partners, including relevant federal and Lagos State ministries and agencies, leading construction & real estate companies, training institutions, women’s professional bodies & associations and financial organisations, reflecting a shared commitment to skills development and inclusion.

With its emphasis on skills, visibility, employment and access, the Construction Tradeswomen Career Fair Day marked a meaningful step towards building a more inclusive and future-ready construction industry, one where talent and opportunity are no longer limited by gender.

ABOUT GIZ: The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a German federal enterprise implementing on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC)

Contact info: Britta Erckelens | GIZ | Programme Manager, SKYE II | [email protected]

Ayotunde Razaq Jr. | GIZ | Communications Advisor, SKYE II | [email protected]