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" ...

Dangiwa Receives Railway Workers  Union, Reaffirms Commitment to Workers’ Housing Needs    Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has played host to the leadership of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Workers Union on a courtesy visit to his office penultimate weekend   The Minister,  in his remarks, reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to providing affordable housing for Nigerian workers, including staff of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).   Arc. Dangiwa, who warmly welcomed the union leaders, commended them for their visit and for prioritizing the welfare of their members through advocacy for home ownership.   He noted that under the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the ministry is determined to ensure that every committed Nigerian worker has access to decent and affordable housing before retirement.   "Our goal is to make home ownership a reality for all categories of workers, including those in the Nigerian Railway Corporation. No worker should retire without a roof over their head,”  the minister said.   The minister further directed the leadership of the union to compile and submit a comprehensive list of it's members of staff interested in the housing opportunities under any of the ministry’s housing programme for proper consideration.   Accordingly,  Dangiwa assured the union leadership that the ministry would explore viable frameworks to integrate their members into the existing and upcoming social housing schemes.   Earlier, the Chairman of the NRC Workers Union, Comrade Kazeem Yusuf, had informed the minister that the purpose of the visit was to seek collaboration with the ministry in securing housing allocations for railway workers in Abuja and other major cities   ...

Belgore Flags Off Personnel Audit, Skills Gap Analysis (PASGA) Project    * says lack of professionals makes projects supervision cumbersome for the Ministry    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, has flagged off the Personnel Audit and Skills Gap Analysis (PAGSA) Project for the Ministry, Thursday,  October 16th, 2025.   PASGA is an important part of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 25), being anchored by the Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation.   It is a verification exercise that is aimed at verifying and updating personnel records, identifying skills and capacity gaps, as well as supporting workforce planning and reforms, of all civil servants of the federation.   Making his remarks, the Permanent Secretary highlighted the primary mandate of the ministry in providing affordable housing for Nigerians, acknowledging the hard work put into achieving the mandate by the staff of the ministry.   He informed that the Ministry was grossly understaffed, having lost over 1,600 staff members due to retirement in the last year and a half, and this he said has led to missing skills and gaps opening up at Ministry including states field offices.   Belgore further explained that lack of professionals on the ground makes projects supervision cumbersome for the ministry, saying that the Ministry often deploys officers from the headquarters for site inspections across the states.   " The Ministry is interested to partner with the Georgid Consultants to ensure strengthening the identified gaps and build capacity for the Ministry" he stated.   Dr. Belgore charged the team of consultants to be very detailed in the conduct of the verification exercise, he said “get exactly what our strengths are across the headquarters and all our offices and we will be very interested to have you present some of your findings to us”, he said.   He noted that the exercise was a very important part of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 25), in the sense that it is about capacity and building human resources for the next generation.   Accordingly, he mandated every staff of the Ministry to coorporate fully with the team of consultants for the exercise, adding that the team will also be inspected to ensure that they achieve the mandate of the ministry.    Belgore pledged full support of the Ministry to the Consultant to deliver the assignment.   Earlier, the CEO of the Georgid Consulting, Isaac Idontenyi noted that it was essential to carry out an effective and efficient verification exercise as the initiative aims to reposition and transform the Federal Civil Service for national transformation and growth.   While stating that the physical verification process will begin on Monday, with a designated venue and collaborative efforts of directors of the Ministry, he outlined the broad scope of the exercise which includes data collection, performance management, leadership and succession planning, training, recruitment, and placement.   He also explained that the verification process will use a technology tool to capture information, ensuring data integrity and coverage across the country.   In his welcome address, the acting Director Human Resource Management, Ayodele Ademola, noted that the exercise marks a significant step in the collective effort to strengthen institutional capacity, enhance efficiency, and align the Ministry’s human resources with its renewed mandate under the present administration.   He said the initiative underscores the commitment of the Head of Service to accountability, transparency, and excellence in service delivery.    “It will also ensure that our human capital remains a strategic driver of the Ministry's vision for sustainable housing and urban development across Nigeria”, he stated.   ...