Dr. Afiz Ogun, Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), has said that Nigerian artisans play a key role in national development and must be supported to drive economic growth.
He spoke in Abuja at a national exhibition and fair for artisans and technicians, noting that the Federal Government has begun to restore dignity to the sector after years of neglect.
According to him, “For a long time, artisans in Nigeria were forgotten. But today, President Bola Tinubu’s government has remembered them and is working to lift them up. This is not just a campaign promise—steps have already started.”
Ogun explained that the ITF is training artisans nationwide, focusing on both technical skills and soft skills such as ethics and patriotism.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Adeshina Akinyemi, National Coordinator of the Artisan and Technicians Association of Nigeria (ASNAT), described the exhibition as the largest gathering of artisans in Africa.
He said the event brought together various artisan associations and showcased innovations, including a motorbike built in Minna and school furniture made from recycled tires. He stressed that such products, if promoted, could boost local industries and empower Nigerian artisans.
“What we want is government support to promote local goods and content. This will help everyone and create more economic opportunities,” Akinyemi said. He added that with ITF’s training and regulation, the era of unqualified artisans in Nigeria is gradually ending.
In his remarks, Mr. Sanusi Rikiji, former Speaker of Zamfara State House of Assembly and National Patron of ASNAT, said artisans are central to Nigeria’s economy. He noted that their skills, creativity, and resilience sustain daily life and contribute greatly to national productivity.
He urged artisans and technicians to mentor younger ones to ensure continuity and growth. According to him, exhibitions like this provide a platform to showcase cultural heritage while driving national development.
The exhibition brought together artisans and technicians from across Nigeria, who displayed locally made products and discussed ways to strengthen skills for national progress.
