Abuja: Dr Afiz Ogun, Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), emphasized the crucial role of Nigerian artisans in national development and economic growth, urging for their support and empowerment.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ogun addressed this issue at a national exhibition and fair for artisans and technicians in Abuja, highlighting the Federal Government’s renewed efforts to restore dignity to the neglected sector.
Ogun expressed that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, the government is committed to uplifting artisans, a promise that is already being fulfilled. He noted ongoing nationwide training programs for artisans focusing on technical skills, ethics, and patriotism, as directed by the government. “Government has ordered us to train them both in their technical area and the soft skills which they need for their trade,” Ogun stated.
Mr Adeshina Akinyemi, National Coordinator of the Artisan and Technicians Association of Nigeria (ASNAT), described the Abuja event
as the largest gathering of artisans in Africa, showcasing innovations like a motorbike made in Minna and school furniture from tire waste. Akinyemi emphasized that such local products could lead to economic empowerment.
Mr Sanusi Rikiji, former Speaker of Zamfara State House of Assembly and National Patron of ASNAT, highlighted the centrality of artisans to Nigeria’s workforce and economy. He noted their skills, creativity, and resilience as vital to sustaining everyday life and national productivity. Rikiji urged artisans to mentor the next generation to ensure continuity and sustainability, stressing that exhibitions provide a platform for showcasing cultural heritage and contributing to national development.