…Hold three-day Leadership Summit

Artisans and technicians from across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, under the platform of the Association of Nigerian Artisans and Technicians (ASNAT), have endorsed President Bola Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 presidential election.

The artisans and technicians pointed to President Tinubu’s administration’s policies and programmes aimed at creating economic opportunities for their members as the main reasons for supporting the President’s re-election.

The endorsement was announced in Abuja during the 2nd Nigerian Artisans’ Leadership Summit (NALSUM) 2026.

Speaking at the event, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, representing Zamfara West Senatorial District, urged ASNAT members to stay united in their support for the government.

Senator Yari, represented by former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Senator Tijani Kaura, emphasised that artisans and technicians play vital roles in society’s development and functioning.

He also highlighted some programmes and policies of the Tinubu administration that, he said, have benefited artisans and technicians.

Senator Yari described ASNAT as a powerful group with a large membership capable of influencing electoral outcomes significantly.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations, Rt. Hon. Sanusi Rikiji, expressed artisans and technicians’ unwavering support for President Tinubu’s administration by officially endorsing his re-election in 2027.

He stated that several programmes under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aim to expand economic opportunities for artisans and other professionals.

Rikiji, who is the National Patron of ASNAT, said President Tinubu remains committed to addressing the challenges faced by workers across various sectors.

He praised President Tinubu for choosing to remain a statesman rather than a purely political leader and described him as a nationalist whom future generations will celebrate, especially for adhering to national reforms during testing times.

Rikiji noted that some artisans, out of the 12.5 million registered members, have greatly benefited from multiple Renewed Hope programmes through various government agencies and initiatives.

He remarked: “It is an understatement to reiterate and re-emphasise that Artisans and Technicians are the backbone of Nigeria’s industrialisation, economic diversification and sustainable development.

Speaking about the Nigerian Artisans’ Leadership Summit, Rikiji stated: “NALSUM is not just a meeting. It is the most important platform we have to upgrade, upskill, and reposition our members for leadership, dignity, and prosperity for our dear country.”

The National Coordinator of ASNAT, Comrade Adeshina Akinyemi, praised the current government for its policies and programmes and pledged the association’s support for President Tinubu.

Akinyemi affirmed that ASNAT would continue working with relevant stakeholders to improve the welfare and economic wellbeing of its members.

He declared: “We gather here today not just to launch a training programme but to celebrate our collective resilience, our unbreakable spirit, and our shared resolve to redefine the future of the artisan and technical sector in Nigeria.

“The Nigerian Artisans and Technicians have also acknowledged the efforts of Senator Abdulaziz Yari across Nigeria to secure the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term. Therefore, all artisans and technicians in Nigeria remain committed to working with him to succeed.”

“As we begin this three-day transformative leadership training, I encourage every participant to pay close attention to the resource persons, training modules, and strategic sessions. The knowledge you gain here is meant to help you formalise your businesses, expand your operations, and access modern economic opportunities. Let us maximise this platform.”

Speaking at the event, some of the artisans and technicians, who commended President Tinubu for empowering them, expressed their readiness to mobilise support for the President’s re-election in next year’s polls.

The Nigerian Artisans Leadership Summit is attended by senior government officials; heads of 29 affiliated associations across all 36 states and the FCT; members of the Diplomatic Corps; and partners from the private sector and development agencies.