In a bold move to reposition Nigeria’s informal sector as a powerhouse for national development, key government officials, industry leaders, and thousands of skilled workers converged in Kano for the highly anticipated Nigerian Artisan and Technicians Conference. This event placed artisans and technicians at the centre of Nigeria’s industrial transformation agenda.
The Nigerian Artisan and Technicians Conference (NATCO 2025) was held from May 25th to 27th, 2025, at the Kano State Trade Fair Complex, Zoo Road, drawing participants from across the country to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and promote skill-based enterprise growth.
The high-profile event featured notable dignitaries, including the Representative of the Honorable Minister of State for Industry, Engr. Imam Mohammed; the Representative of the Honorable Commissioner, Kano State Ministry of Trade, Investment, Cooperative and Mineral Resources, Alhaji Mahmoud Bala; the Director General of the Kano State Small and Medium Scale Enterprise Agency, Alhaji Nasir Mansur Mohammed; and the Convener of NATCO and Managing Director of Global Sight Services Limited, Mr. Dayo Bello.
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Ministry, Engr. Imam Mohammed, the Representative of the Honorable Minister of State for Industry, emphasised the need to scale up institutional support for artisans and technicians, describing them as the “real engine room of industrial growth.” He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to advancing inclusive economic policies and integrating vocational workers into national development plans.
In his remarks, Alhaji Mahmoud Bala, the Representative of the Honorable Commissioner, Kano State Ministry of Trade, Investment, Cooperative and Mineral Resources, welcomed participants to Kano and underscored the state’s long-standing tradition of enterprise and craftsmanship. Stated that “Kano has always been a hub for artisans and traders, and we are proud to support platforms like NATCO that highlight and strengthen our entrepreneurial heritage.”
Also speaking at the event, Alhaji Nasir Mansur Mohammed, the Director General of the Kano State Small and Medium Scale Enterprise Agency, highlighted Kano State’s continued investment in MSMEs, vocational training, and business support services. He expressed the agency’s commitment to empowering local artisans through funding, training, and linkages to markets and business opportunities.
In his closing address, Mr Dayo Bello, the Convener of the Nigerian Artisan and Technicians Conference and Managing Director of Global Sight Services Limited, described NATCO 2025 as a “turning point for Nigeria’s informal sector.” He called for a united front from the government, private sector, and development agencies to unlock the full economic value of skilled labour and informal enterprises nationwide.
The three-day event featured interactive workshops, exhibitions, business clinics, and networking sessions aimed at equipping artisans and technicians with practical tools and market access.
As part of the Federal Government’s support during the conference, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) was on-site to facilitate business registration for participants. Through a special intervention, artisans and technicians could register their businesses at a discounted rate of ₦11,100, helping many formalise their enterprises and access broader economic opportunities.
With strengthened collaboration between stakeholders and a shared commitment to growth, NATCO 2025 concluded as a landmark initiative advancing skill development, enterprise formalisation, and inclusive industrialisation across Nigeria.
