The days of operating as an unregistered artisan in Lagos may soon be over as the State House of Assembly moves to bring thousands of craftsmen and informal-sector workers under government regulation.
The Assembly has begun consideration of a bill seeking to establish the Lagos State Artisans and Craftsmen Regulatory Board, which will oversee the registration, training, certification and activities of artisans across the state.
The proposed law, known as the Lagos State Artisans and Craftsmen Regulatory Board Bill 2025, was presented for second reading during plenary by the House Majority Leader, Hon. Noheem Adams.
Adams said the legislation was designed to restore order to the informal sector, protect residents from unqualified practitioners and give artisans greater recognition and support.
He noted that artisans and craftsmen account for more than 70 per cent of Lagos’ informal economy, despite operating for years without a unified regulatory structure.
According to him, the bill is intended to transform the sector by introducing proper standards, certification and government oversight.
Under the proposed arrangement, the new board will maintain a register of qualified artisans, issue certifications, coordinate training and enforce professional standards.
The board will also receive complaints from members of the public and intervene in disputes between artisans and their clients.
But that is not all.
Registered artisans could also gain access to government empowerment programmes, loans, insurance schemes, soft-credit facilities and skills-upgrading opportunities through the proposed board.
Adams said the move would, for the first time, give the government reliable information on the number, location and needs of artisans operating across Lagos.
He also linked the proposed registration system to security, saying a verified database of artisans would assist law enforcement agencies in identifying and monitoring practitioners and could help reduce crime.
The bill, however, is already generating debate among lawmakers, with members demanding changes to some of its provisions before it becomes law.
Hon. Stephen Ogundipe of Oshodi/Isolo Constituency I said proper licensing would help residents distinguish qualified artisans from quacks and reduce disputes between craftsmen and their customers.
Hon. Adebola Shabi, meanwhile, raised concerns about environmental and safety risks associated with some trades, particularly welding. He proposed that the Lagos State Safety Commission and Ministry of Environment should have representatives on the proposed board.
Another lawmaker, Hon. Lukmon Olumoh of Ajeromi Constituency I, questioned whether the new board could duplicate the functions of the Lagos State Vocational Education Board, LASVEB.
Hon. Femi Saheed of Kosofe Constituency II also challenged the academic qualification proposed for the chairman of the board, while Hon. Kehinde Joseph of Alimosho Constituency I called for the registration age to be reduced from 18 to 16.
Joseph also urged the government to review the proposed registration fees so that they would not become another financial burden on struggling artisans.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, backed the bill, describing it as a major step that could impact security, employment, economic growth and the state’s internally generated revenue.
Obasa said creating a comprehensive database of artisans would enable the government to know who was operating in the sector and where they could be found, thereby strengthening security.
He also called for the many informal artisans operating on an “over-the-counter” basis to be brought into the formal system.
The Speaker further urged the government to ensure that financial assistance to registered artisans was properly structured and encouraged the use of technology and international partnerships, particularly with countries such as China and Taiwan, to improve the skills and productivity of Lagos artisans.
With the debate concluded, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Commerce and Industry for further consideration.
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