BOI Reaffirms Commitment to Support 12 Million Artisans

The Bank of Industry (BOI) has reaffirmed its dedication to supporting Nigeria’s over 12 million artisans and technicians, calling them the heartbeat of grassroots enterprise and a cornerstone of national economic transformation.

Speaking at the 2025 Nigerian Artisans Leadership Summit in Abuja, BOI Managing Director Olasupo Olusi—represented by Executive Director Mabel Ndagi said the institution views artisans not merely as workers, but as powerful agents of job creation, local innovation, and community upliftment.

Themed “Unlocking the Inherent Potential of Nigerian Artisans and Technicians,” the summit drew voices from across artisan groups, government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector. It focused on breaking down barriers faced by informal workers and crafting pathways to formal recognition, funding, and support.

Olusi emphasized that for Nigeria to thrive, it must ensure no skill is overlooked, no trade is neglected, and no craftsman is excluded. “We envision a Nigeria where talents are not wasted for lack of access, where enterprise thrives beyond obstacles, and where artisans are part of the formal economy’s story,” he said.

Among the key challenges highlighted were inadequate access to finance, poor training opportunities, outdated tools, weak business structures, and limited exposure to export markets.

To tackle these systemic issues, BOI’s 2025–2027 Corporate Strategy will center on six strategic pillars:

Strengthening MSME, Empowering youth through skill development, Expanding digital economy access, Promoting climate resilience, Driving critical infrastructure investments, Championing gender inclusion

“These aren’t just policy boxes,” Olusi noted. “They are new lenses for understanding and investing in the artisans and entrepreneurs who keep Nigeria running.”

He reaffirmed BOI’s mission to provide not only capital but also advisory support tailored to the real needs of informal workers. “Development cannot be outsourced. It must be built by hand, by skill, by purpose, by passion. That is the artisan’s gift. And that is what BOI stands behind.”

With this summit, BOI aims to further bridge the gap between the formal financial system and Nigeria’s vibrant but underfunded informal sector fueling livelihoods, resilience, and inclusive growth nationwide.