With Nigeria’s paint and coatings industry projected to experience a 4.01 per cent growth in the next four years, leading paints and coatings manufacturer, Chemical and Allied Products Plc (CAP Plc), has restated its commitment to continue to grow the sector and upskill its players to meet growing demand.
To this end, the company recently celebrated the fifth anniversary of its Painters Academy with a two-day event in Lagos, where it reaffirmed its commitment to empowering painters and advancing vocational excellence.
The celebration drew dignitaries from government, industry and communities across Nigeria.
Established in 2019, the academy was set up with the vision to become the cornerstone of technical and capacity building in Nigeria’s paints and coatings sector. In the last five years, the academy has trained over 6,000 painters across 17 states, advancing their product knowledge and application techniques for decorative products and imparting the importance of surface preparation to paint performance.
Many have been empowered with entrepreneurial skills to further thrive in their careers, underscoring the academy’s role in grooming the next generation of professional painters.
A major highlight of the celebration was the announcement of a strategic partnership with the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB).
The collaboration will accredit the CAP Painters Academy and provide standardised national certification for painters who undergo training, giving them stronger professional recognition and credibility in the labour market.
During the celebrations, painters, alumni and current students participated in refresher sessions designed to sharpen their expertise and strengthen industry standards.
CAP also unveiled the Business Pro Workshop, an advanced programme that focuses on entrepreneurship, financial management and digital literacy to help painters scale their businesses and compete effectively in the broader construction ecosystem.
Chief Operating Officer, CAP, Jethro Iruobe, described the academy as a flagship initiative in the vision to build human capital and strengthen painters’ professional capabilities.
He noted that what began as an idea has grown into a nationwide movement that has trained thousands of painters, raised professional standards and created new opportunities for young Nigerians.
Commending CAP Plc for its role in advancing technical and vocational education in Nigeria, the Chief Examination Officer of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), Lawani Meka, noted that the partnership demonstrates how the private sector can drive professionalisation in critical industries.
By accrediting the CAP Painters Academy, he said, the body is ensuring that painters receive nationally-recognised certification that enhances their employability and credibility.
Winners of the ‘Paint Your Future: 5-for-5 Challenge’, where painters from across the country received over ₦1.2 million in growth grants, as well as professional toolkits, branded gear and exclusive scholarships were also announced.
Outstanding painters were also given regional recognition awards, showcasing their excellence and commitment to professionalism.
Iruobe stressed that that the academy will continue to scale its programmes nationwide and deepen industry collaborations to ensure Nigerian painters are recognised as globally competitive professionals and successful entrepreneurs.
