FG  To Train, Provide Job Opportunities for Nigerian Youths  - Minister Ata 

The Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development Development, Rt Hon.Yusuf Abdullahi Ata has said that the Federal Government is willing to train and provide job opportunities for the Nigerian youths by promoting the  National Artisans Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP) 

The Minister stated this, when he received a delegation from the University of Uyo Centre for Skills Acquisition and Rural Development led by its Director, Ambassador Ernest Essien

Ata told the delegation that the Ministry is willing to partner with the Centre to train and equip Nigerians with skills and resources to bridge the Labour gap in country.

"We are going to continue to interact with you so that we work on areas of common grounds. 

" The Ministry will assist you as we factor your needs into our 2026 budget so that we can provide all the necessary assistance and support to carry out this project " he said 

He he also commended the Center for their comprehensive skills development and acquisition programmes which he said was in alignment with the Ministry 's NASAP programme, aimed at bridging skilled persons in the labour market.

In his remarks , the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore said the Centre's youth skills and development programmes aligns with the Ministry's NASAP's initiative in facilitating and achieving the mandate of providing mass and affordable housing and infrastructural development, stressing that both parties will find a common ground to work together. 

Earlier, the Director of the Center, who led the delegation, Amb Ernest Essien told the Minister that their visit was to seek partnership with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development on skill acquisition and job creation in the Nigeria and in particular Akwa-Ibom state. 

He Commended the Federal Government and the Ministry for boosting job creation by training of Nigerians from all walks of life on various skills and support to compete in the labour market. 

The Director noted that the Ministry's mandate was to provide mass housing to citizens and build infrastructure across the country, a feat he reckons will require huge skilled manpower to carry out this task.

"The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is focusing on housing and infrastructural expansion and needs skilled and reliable workforce towards its national projects and that is where we are coming in. 

"We are proposing to come in to create that skilled workforce through tertiary artisan students. This is to ensure that graduates are certified and ready to contribute to the Ministry's goal " 

He further added, " we appreciate and commend the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development for initiating to train and digitally certify and integrate ten thousand  construction artisans annually with job over a three-year period"