The Inter-Bau Foundation (IBF) successfully hosted the Construction Tradeswomen Career Fair Day on 31 January 2026 in Lekki Phase I, Lagos, with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Skills Development for Youth Employment II programme.
The Guardian Nigeria The event aimed to address gender imbalance in Nigeria’s traditionally male-dominated construction industry by creating visibility, access to opportunities, and practical career pathways for women and girls in technical ⁰ trades roles.
Bridging the Gender Gap in ConstructionIn her welcome address, Doris Okechukwu Mbadiwe, CEO and Programme Director of Inter-Bau Foundation, highlighted the foundation’s mission to close the persistent gender gap in the sector.
She emphasised that women are increasingly demonstrating excellence across construction trades from engineering and project management to masonry and carpentry and urged young girls and students to explore the 190+ career opportunities available in the industry.
🔨 Skills Demonstration & Career Engagement
A key feature of the fair was live skills demonstration competitions, where female artisans showcased their expertise in areas such as masonry, carpentry, interior design, and painting challenging long-held gender stereotypes and illustrating women’s technical competence.
Participants also engaged in career talks, hands-on demonstrations, and networking sessions with industry professionals, policymakers, civil society groups, and private-sector representatives, creating space for relationships that could lead to employment and training opportunities.
🛠 Industry Leadership & Challenges Highlighted Speaking at the event, Builder Kunle Awobodu, National President of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild and past president of the Nigerian Institute of Building, reflected on longstanding challenges women face in the construction sector, including discrimination and social expectations around marriage and caregiving. He urged women to use digital platforms to promote their skills and visibility within the industry.
🏆 Recognition & Youth Focus
The fair also celebrated outstanding women leaders and allies, recognised schools and students, and awarded participants in an essay competition designed to spark early interest in construction careers.
Surulere Girls Senior Secondary School emerged the winner, underscoring growing enthusiasm among young women for technical careers.
📌 Collaborative Support and Future
OutlookThe event drew support from a wide range of stakeholders including federal and Lagos State ministries, construction and real estate firms, training institutions, women’s professional bodies, and financial organisations reflecting a broad commitment to skills development and gender inclusion in Nigeria’s construction sector.
With a focus on skills, employment, and opportunity, the Construction Tradeswomen Career Fair marked an important step toward building a more inclusive and future-ready construction workforce in Nigeria.
Image Credit: The Guardian
Source: The Guardian
