Dangote Cement Plc, at the ongoing Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) in Abuja, announced its visionary plan to set up an academy focused on equipping block makers and artisans with essential skills to promote safer construction practices and combat building collapse in the country.
The National Sales Director of Dangote Cement, Funmi Sanni, revealed that the decision to establish the academy was spurred by the aging workforce of artisans and block makers, coupled with the lack of interest among the younger generation in pursuing these professions.
The company believes that imparting the right skills to artisans will significantly reduce the prevalence of quackery in the construction industry.
Speaking at the AIHS event, Funmi Sanni said, “One of the sure ways of reducing the phenomenon of building collapse is to check quackery while imparting the needed skills to the block makers and artisans. We want to ensure a seamless transfer of requisite skills to the next generation of construction workers, promoting safer and more durable buildings.”
In addition to skill training, Dangote Cement has pledged its support by providing machinery and tools to block makers who successfully complete the academy’s training programs. This support aims to empower the artisans to work efficiently and uphold the highest standards in their craft.
Rabiu Umar, the Head of Sales and Marketing at Dangote Cement Group, highlighted the company’s significant contributions to the real estate sector, transforming Nigeria from a cement-importing nation to an exporter within two decades.
Umar also identified rapid urbanization and the escalating costs of construction materials as major challenges contributing to the housing deficit in Nigeria.
“Dangote Cement is committed to addressing housing shortages by engaging in project partnerships, collaborations, and participation in real estate development initiatives in Nigeria. Our large cement plants across the country and other African nations ensure a steady supply of the essential raw material for the housing sector,” Rabiu Umar stated.
The Technical Sales Head, Aniki Ayodeji, affirmed that the company currently trains artisans on the correct mix of materials to ensure the construction of structurally sound buildings.
On the sidelines of the AIHS, Festus Adebayo made an earnest appeal to the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, urging him to extend the company’s influence towards mitigating the massive housing deficit in Nigeria.
Comparing it to the government’s successful partnership in road construction, Adebayo emphasized that addressing the housing crisis is equally crucial for the well-being and stability of the nation.
