To curtail the rate at which artisans from neighbouring countries take up skilled work in the construction industry, the Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI) Skills Academy has flagged off the training of 100 youths and women in masonry skills.

The six-month intensive, free training programme—supported by the Nigeria Youth Employment through Skills Acquisition Fund (NYESAF), a World Bank project—will enable the youths to acquire skills in different areas of construction, including masonry, plumbing, carpentry, electricals, and others.

The President of FOCI, Mr. Vincent Barrah, at the official flag-off ceremony in Abuja, noted that Nigeria initially lacked skilled artisans, causing Togolese, Ghanaians, and other workers from neighbouring countries to take over jobs in the construction industry. Hence, there is a need to upskill Nigerian artisans so they can compete with their contemporaries.

He stated that the FOCI Skills Academy, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, the World Bank, and the German International Cooperation (GIZ), is working to strengthen the workforce in the construction industry.

He said, “A time came when we lacked Nigerian artisan skills. We were employing Togolese, Beninese, Ghanaians. That’s what brought the idea. I said, no, we cannot sit down and watch our youths live on the streets while foreigners are taking the skilled jobs. So, FOCI Skills Academy was incorporated, and we kicked off immediately.”

He stated that the official flag-off of the training programme was a powerful statement: that the time has come to invest in the next generation of builders, and to do so boldly and intentionally.

He mentioned that the consortium of about 80 construction companies incorporated the FOCI Skills Academy in 2019 to bridge the skills and gender gaps in the construction industry.

“Through our FOCI Skills Academy, we have seen firsthand the transformative power of vocational training—how a simple skill in masonry, plumbing, carpentry, or electrical work can lift a person, a family, and even a community—and the NYESAF project will further alleviate the social imbalance,” Barrah stated.

The Programme Officer for NYESAF, Blessing Osenwota, stated that the training programme is about improving the skills of Nigerian youths and women in digital, civic, agricultural, and other sectors.

She disclosed that during the first phase, about 1,000 women and youths benefited, saying the second phase is targeted at training about 30,000 women and youths across the 36 states and the FCT.

She said, “This skill acquisition programme will give the country a better footing in engaging children, youths, and taking them off the streets.”