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AfDB Trains 572 Young Nigerians On Housing Devt

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja

Female graduates celebrate at the African Development Bank (AfDB) Supported FAST Programme graduation ceremony

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has trained and certified 572 572 young Nigerians across Abuja and Katsina State, linking them to employment opportunities in the built sector.

Implemented by Family Homes Funds Limited, the beneficiaries received training in six trades critical to Nigeria's housing and infrastructure development such as masonry, carpentry, plumbing, electrical works, painting and tiling.

Through a $1 million grant from the Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund (YEI MDTF), the bank combined classroom instruction with hands-on experience on active construction sites, the programme equipped beneficiaries with industry-recognised skills and practical workplace experience.

As Nigeria expands its housing and infrastructure footprint, demand for skilled construction workers continues to grow, even as women remain underrepresented in construction trades, reflecting broader barriers to participation in a sector traditionally dominated by men.

A beneficiary, a 32-year-old Ansa Umana, who is an engineer and civil servant in Abuja, noted that the training opened doors he previously felt unprepared to pursue.

He said: “Before, I had limited practical experience in electrical installations. Through the training, I learned wiring, installation techniques and safety procedures. The skills have given me the confidence to take on more responsibilities at work and pursue opportunities I would previously have avoided.”

The programme was first implemented in Abuja, where 72 artisans gained practical experience at the Renewed Hope City housing development. Upon completing their training, they were linked to employment opportunities associated with the project and its development partners.

Acting Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery and Director General of the Nigeria Country Department, Dr Abdul Kamara, said: "Through FAST, hundreds of young Nigerians have moved from training to employment opportunities. This reflects the African Development Bank's Cardinal Point 3, Harnessing Demographic Transformation for Economic Development, by equipping young people with market-relevant skills and helping transform Nigeria's growing youth population into a driver of economic growth and inclusion."

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