LASG launches compulsory certification to regulate artisans

Politics Spice Special Features Education Sex & Relationship Interview Columns Opinion Advertise with us LASG launches compulsory certification to regulate artisans News November 10, 2026 12:09 am By Ayoola Babalola Kindly share this story:

Lagos is moving to formalise its sprawling artisan economy by placing registration, skills certification and professional conduct under a proposed regulatory board, in a measure that could redefine how thousands of craftsmen qualify to practise and access government support.

The proposed Lagos State Artisans and Craftsmen Regulatory Board would oversee the registration, training and certification of practitioners, while setting standards intended to protect consumers from unqualified operators and substandard workmanship.

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday adopted the report of its Committee on Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives on the bill and directed the Clerk, Adenike Oshinowo, to transmit a clean copy to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for assent.

The legislation goes beyond creating another government agency. It seeks to establish an institutional framework for determining who is qualified to operate as an artisan or craftsman in Lagos, how practitioners maintain their competence and the standards against which their work can be assessed.

Presenting the committee’s report, its Chairman, Abiodun Tobun, said the rapid growth and diversity of the sector had made regulation necessary to promote professionalism, competence, safety and accountability.

He said artisans and craftsmen were important contributors to employment generation and the state’s economy, but argued that the absence of an effective regulatory framework made it necessary to strengthen standards and public confidence in their services.

Under the proposed arrangement, the board would regulate registration, training, certification and professional conduct. It would also collaborate with the Lagos State Vocational and Technical Education Board, vocational institutions and other government agencies to provide continuing education, refresher courses and skills-upgrading programmes.

The proposed system could also connect professional recognition with economic support. According to Tobun, the bill contains provisions to facilitate registered artisans’ access to government funding, financial assistance and other support programmes, enabling them to acquire modern tools, expand their businesses and improve their skills.

The committee also recommended that the board’s General Manager be appointed by the governor on the recommendation of the commissioner and subject to confirmation by the Assembly, giving the legislature a role in scrutinising the proposed agency’s leadership.

Another provision would allow foreign nationals with relevant training, qualifications or practical experience acquired outside Nigeria to apply for registration, suggesting that eligibility would be based on demonstrated competence rather than nationality alone.

Monday’s plenary was presided over by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.

However, the legislation’s practical impact will depend on how the proposed board defines occupational competence, verifies qualifications, handles existing practitioners and enforces compliance across the state’s large informal artisan market.

The report presented to the House did not specify the proposed sanctions for unregistered practice or explain whether registration would become compulsory before artisans could offer services. Those details will be important in determining whether the new framework becomes an effective consumer-protection mechanism or another layer of bureaucracy for small businesses.

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don’t miss a headline – join now!

Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.