ITF screens artisans nationwide as Nigeria pushes global competitiveness drive
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has commenced nationwide screening of shortlisted candidates for the 2026 Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) programme, a flagship initiative designed to strengthen Nigeria’s human capital base and position local artisans for global competitiveness.
According to the ITF Director-General, Dr Afiz Ogun, the exercise will verify eligibility and assess the practical experience of candidates ahead of their admission into the training programme. Screening will be conducted in two phases: Northern Zone (July 14–17) covering North-Central, North-West and North-East, and Southern Zone (July 21–24) covering South-East, South-West and South-South. The process will take place simultaneously across all senatorial districts in the 36 states and the FCT.
Ogun explained that the focus on practising artisans reflects the urgent need to enhance the quality and competitiveness of Nigerian workers in line with international best practices. He noted that many employment opportunities in Nigeria’s artisanal sector are increasingly being filled by foreign workers due to gaps in contemporary technical skills.
The SUPA programme is designed to bridge this gap by equipping artisans with globally recognised certifications, modern technical competencies, and industry-relevant skills.
ITF recently concluded international certification examinations for beneficiaries of the 2025 SUPA programme, supervised by Alberk QA Technic of Türkiye, covering more than 20 high-demand vocational trades.
Beyond certification, ITF has also prepared an incubation phase for the 2025 cohort, offering mentorship, business development support, and enterprise incubation services to help artisans establish sustainable businesses and contribute to national economic growth.
Dr Ogun emphasised that the SUPA programme remains one of the Federal Government’s flagship human capital development initiatives, strategically positioned to enhance productivity, expand employment opportunities, and support Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda.
“These commitments will enable Nigerian artisans to compete successfully both within Nigeria and in the international labour market,” he said.
About The Author
