Big players in the Nigerian manufacturing industry have been accused of employing foreigners to the disadvantage of Nigerian youths and artisans.
The allegation was made by the Association of Building Artisans of Nigeria (ASBAN), which lamented that these companies prefer the employment of foreigners, especially Chinese, for jobs which Nigerians could do or learn.
“For over four years, about 5,000 Chinese youths have been working at Papalanto Electrification Project. Also, in Ogun State at Dangote Cement, about 3,000 Chinese are engaged as welders, carpenters and other jobs Nigerian artisans can do,” ASBAN said.
“While our leaders are busy importing foreigners as artisans, the British government, through Growth and Employment in States Construction and Real Estate Sector (GEMS 2) -a department of DfID, has been retraining the artisans to empower their youths. Over three years after Obajana Cement started producing, thousands of Chinese artisans are still working there.”
Jimmy Oshinubi, the National President of ASBAN, complained that “Nigeria is currently losing N900 billion annually as remuneration to foreign artisans. With fuel subsidy removal, the figure will no doubt increase as more Chinese will move into the country for construction work. Cosmetic jobs, such as selling recharge cards for our youths, as against jobs that can guarantee a better future for the unemployed youths might soon pitch Nigerian youths against the Chinese.”