The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has concluded arrangements for the nationwide screening of shortlisted practising artisans for the 2026 Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA).
The programme is part of efforts to build a globally competitive workforce and strengthen Nigeria’s human capital.
The screening exercise is aimed at verifying the eligibility and practical experience of shortlisted candidates before their admission into the 2026 training programme.
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According to a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Thomas Ngor, the exercise will be conducted in two phases across the country.
It said artisans from the Northern Zone, comprising the North-Central, North-West and North-East geopolitical zones, will be screened from July 14 to 17, while those from the Southern Zone, covering the South-East, South-West and South-South geopolitical zones, will undergo screening from July 21 to 24.
The statement revealed that the exercise would take place simultaneously in the three senatorial districts of each of the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory to ensure wider participation and accessibility.
Speaking on the exercise, the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, said the programme is focused on practising artisans because of the urgent need to improve their technical competence and competitiveness.
“The Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) programme is specifically designed to bridge this gap by equipping Nigerian artisans with modern technical competencies, globally recognised certifications and industry-relevant skills that will enable them to compete successfully within Nigeria and in the international labour market.”
He noted that many jobs in Nigeria’s artisanal sector are increasingly being filled by foreign workers because many local artisans lack the modern technical skills required by industry.
Dr Ogun disclosed that the Fund recently concluded the international certification examinations for beneficiaries of the 2025 SUPA programme.
He said, “The examinations, which were supervised by Alberk QA Technic of Türkiye, assessed thousands of artisans across more than 20 high-demand vocational and technical trades using internationally recognised standards.”
The Director-General described the successful completion of the certification examinations as another milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to produce globally certified artisans capable of meeting the manpower needs of modern industries.
He disclosed that the ITF is expanding partnerships with additional international certification bodies to ensure Nigerian artisans obtain globally recognised qualifications that improve their employability and mobility in international labour markets.
Dr Ogun reaffirmed that “the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) programme remains one of the federal government’s flagship human capital development initiatives” and urged all shortlisted applicants to report to their designated screening centres with the required credentials, noting that only successful candidates would proceed to the next stage of the programme.
