Abuja: The Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr Afiz Ogun, has called for a national framework to train, certify, and license Nigerian artisans to eliminate quackery and enhance global competitiveness in the sector. He made this appeal at the opening of the Nigerian Artisans' Leadership Summit (NALSUM) in Abuja, organized by the Association of Nigerian Artisans and Technicians (ASNAT), with the theme 'Towards a Successful NATEF 2025.'

According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ogun emphasized that President Bola Tinubu's vision is to elevate Nigerian artisans to international standards through proper training and certification. He highlighted the initiative's potential to distinguish skilled artisans from unskilled ones, thus addressing the issue of quackery that plagues the sector.

Ogun pointed out that previous training programs had not made a significant impact because artisans lacked opportunities to showcase their skills or access support. He noted that the president has mandated ITF to change this narrative by collaborating with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Nigeria Employers' Consultative Association (NECA) to prioritize local artisans over foreign labor.

Adeshina Akinyemi, the National Coordinator of ASNAT, stated that the summit aims to strengthen leadership across artisan associations and prepare them for the upcoming Nigerian Artisan Talent and Exhibition Fair (NATEF) scheduled for September. He explained that the program seeks to equip association leaders with skills in data and information management, as well as association administration.

Mr Sanusi Rikiji, the former speaker of Zamfara State House of Assembly and National Patron of ASNAT, emphasized the pivotal role artisans and technicians play in Nigeria's private sector, describing them as the 'movers of the micro-economy.' He revealed that ASNAT has over 30 registered trade associations, serving as a significant employment source for the youth.

Rikiji praised ITF's efforts in building a national artisan database, which has registered more than 1,000 artisans. He stated that the target is to register about 8 million artisans, which will enable them to access programs by the World Bank, Bank of Industry, and other institutions.

Representing the Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr Moshood Lawal, Head of Corporate Affairs, highlighted the collaborative role of government institutions in artisan empowerment. He emphasized the importance of providing artisans with financial access and entrepreneurial skills, alongside technical training, to facilitate their growth and ensure they receive affordable funding at single-digit interest rates.