Foreign Artisans Taking Over Local Jobs

An emerging trend is reshaping Nigeria’s skilled labour market: artisans from neighboring West African countries such as Togo, Benin Republic, and Ghana, and even from Asia and the Middle East are increasingly occupying roles once filled by local craftsmen. These foreign workers are now prominent in critical sectors like construction, home improvement, and automotive repair, steadily taking over jobs that many Nigerians are abandoning.
Estimates suggest that foreign artisans contribute to an annual capital outflow of nearly $5 billion, particularly within the construction industry. This is a significant figure when compared to Nigeria’s construction sector, which is valued at between $27 billion and $40 billion and contributes roughly nine percent to the nation’s GDP. Yet, despite the massive potential for job creation, the sector is struggling to find competent local hands to meet demand.
Architect Simeon Kemakolam, based in Lagos, stressed that to meet the housing deficit of nearly 20 million units, Nigeria would need to train no fewer than one million artisans every year. “Construction work is hands-on,” he noted. “It requires a full spectrum of skilled labour, from technical experts to craftsmen and site assistants. You can’t build without them.”
However, it is increasingly common to see artisans such as tilers, plumbers, electricians, and POP ceiling installers from other countries handling local projects. Many of these foreign tradesmen are regarded as more reliable and better trained than their Nigerian counterparts, especially in terms of work ethics, delivery speed, and attention to detail.
What underlies this shift? One key reason is the declining interest among Nigerian youths in vocational trades. Many prefer to chase white-collar jobs, tech careers, or online businesses, often dismissing manual trades as low-status occupations. The traditional apprenticeship model, once a robust system for skills transfer, is also fading, leaving a skills gap that foreign workers are quickly filling.
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has noted that Nigeria loses significant sums annually due to informal employment of foreign artisans. Construction supervisor Aimanesi Omokpo explained that the trend is driven by a performance gap. “Foreign artisans, especially from Francophone countries, are consistent, timely, and precise. Local artisans, on the other hand, often lack professionalism,” he said.
The preference for foreign artisans is not restricted to private homebuilders. Government projects and corporate developments also engage them, particularly when the work requires precision and a fast turnaround. Ironically, Nigeria faces this labour shortage despite having one of the world’s highest youth unemployment rates. According to recent figures, more than 8 percent of Nigeria’s youth workforce is unemployed, yet thousands of jobs in skilled trades remain vacant or outsourced.
Several other issues contribute to this scenario. Stigma around vocational work remains widespread, deterring young Nigerians from enrolling in technical colleges or learning trades. Economist Dr. Paul Olaleye pointed out that vocational careers are still wrongly seen as inferior. “Many prefer the illusion of tech entrepreneurship over the dignity of skilled labour,” he said. “The absence of modern training facilities and the decline of structured mentorship has further weakened the sector,” he added.
Economic instability adds to the problem. The cost of tools and materials has skyrocketed, making it harder for artisans to sustain themselves. “I used to be an electrician,” recalled Tunde Oduode, a Lagos resident. “But I couldn’t afford the tools anymore, and transportation was another burden. I switched to ride-hailing; it’s far from ideal, but it pays consistently.”
Foreign artisans, by contrast, are often perceived to be better organized and supported by informal networks that help them secure work, housing, and referrals. Their collective reputation for delivering quality work with minimal fuss makes them appealing to clients in cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.
Some of them have earned customer trust over decades. “I’ve worked here for 17 years,” said Moise Bebe, a carpenter from Togo. “Clients trust me because I don’t overcharge or delay projects. I make sure I meet their expectations every time.” A Ghanaian mechanic, Daniel Anumah, shared a similar experience: “It’s about trust and consistency. If clients believe in your work, they stay with you.”
The long-term implications of this shift are troubling. Financial analyst Zakari Mohammed warned that it reflects deeper problems. “We are outsourcing jobs that should be creating wealth at home,” he said. “This trend shows how badly we’ve neglected technical education and youth training.”
There are also regulatory concerns. Many of these foreign workers operate without proper documentation or work permits, raising questions about labour compliance, immigration oversight, and safety. Unregulated employment also means lost tax revenue and reduced formal employment growth.
Experts argue that reversing this trend will require a strategic overhaul. Education policy expert Professor Kunle Aremu emphasized the need to reposition vocational training. “Nigeria must invest in technical colleges, standardise training, and give youth reasons to take pride in skilled work. Certification, mentorship, and access to tools are critical,” he said.
As Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy and improve infrastructure, the demand for skilled labour will only grow. The real question is whether the country will continue to import that labour or make the necessary investments to empower its own workforce. What is at stake is far more than jobs; it is about national capacity, economic sovereignty, and restoring dignity to manual work.
As a succor, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) is actively working to upskill 5 million Nigerian artisans annually through its Skill Up Artisan (SUPA) programme.