The Federal Government has launched the selection process for a fresh batch of artisans to benefit from advanced technical training under the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) Programme, as part of efforts to develop a globally competitive workforce and strengthen Nigeria’s technical and vocational sector.
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF), which is implementing the programme, announced that shortlisted applicants will undergo a nationwide screening exercise to assess their qualifications, technical competence and practical experience before advancing to the next stage of training.
The initiative is part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign artisans in critical sectors of the economy while equipping Nigerian craftsmen with internationally recognised skills and certifications.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the ITF, Thomas Ngor.
According to the Fund, the screening exercise will be conducted in two phases across the country to ensure orderly participation.
Artisans from the North-Central, North-West and North-East geopolitical zones will be screened between July 14 and July 17, 2026.
Candidates from the South-East, South-West and South-South geopolitical zones will participate in the exercise from July 21 to July 24, 2026.
To make the process accessible to all shortlisted candidates, the ITF said screening centres would operate simultaneously across the three senatorial districts in each state and the Federal Capital Territory.
“The Industrial Training Fund has concluded arrangements for the nationwide screening of shortlisted practising artisans for the 2026 Skill-Up Artisans Further Training Programme.
“The exercise will be conducted in two phases across the country. Screening for the Northern Zone, comprising the North-Central, North-West and North-East geopolitical zones, will hold from Tuesday, July 14 to Friday, July 17, 2026, while artisans from the Southern Zone, comprising the South-East, South-West and South-South geopolitical zones, will be screened from Tuesday, July 21 to Friday, July 24, 2026,” the statement read.
Speaking on the significance of the programme, the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund, Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, said the initiative was designed to bridge the growing skills gap in Nigeria’s artisanal workforce and prepare local craftsmen to compete effectively in both domestic and international labour markets.
He observed that many skilled jobs within Nigeria are increasingly being filled by foreign artisans because many local workers lack the modern technical competencies demanded by industry.
“Many employment opportunities in Nigeria’s artisanal sector were increasingly being filled by foreign workers because many local artisans lacked the contemporary technical skills required by industry,” Ogun said.
He explained that the programme seeks to reverse the trend by exposing Nigerian artisans to modern equipment, updated production techniques, international best practices and globally recognised professional certifications.
The Director-General revealed that the ITF recently completed the international certification examinations for participants in the 2025 edition of the Skill-Up Artisans Programme.
According to him, the examinations marked a significant milestone in the government’s drive to produce world-class artisans capable of competing internationally.
He disclosed that the assessments were supervised by Alberk QA Technic of Türkiye and covered more than 20 high-demand technical and vocational trades.
“The Fund recently concluded the international certification examinations for beneficiaries of the 2025 SUPA programme. 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,” he stated.
Ogun added that the ITF is expanding its collaboration with additional international certification bodies to ensure Nigerian artisans acquire qualifications that are recognised across global labour markets.
According to him, such certifications will significantly improve the employability of beneficiaries both within Nigeria and abroad.
He further announced that preparations have been completed for the incubation phase of the 2025 SUPA programme, which will provide successful participants with mentorship, business development support and enterprise incubation services.
He explained that the programme is intended not only to improve technical competence but also to help beneficiaries establish sustainable businesses capable of creating employment opportunities.
“The incubation phase is a critical component of the programme because it goes beyond skills acquisition. It provides mentorship, business development support and enterprise incubation services that will enable beneficiaries to establish viable businesses, create employment opportunities and contribute meaningfully to national development.
“Our goal is not merely to train artisans but to develop successful entrepreneurs, employers of labour and globally competitive professionals who can drive Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda,” Ogun said.
He reaffirmed that the Skill-Up Artisans Programme remains one of the Federal Government’s flagship human capital development initiatives aimed at training, certifying and licensing artisans nationwide.
The ITF urged all shortlisted candidates to report to their designated screening centres with the required documents, noting that only those who successfully complete the screening process will proceed to the next phase of the programme.
The Skill-Up Artisans Programme was introduced to address persistent skills shortages across Nigeria’s technical and vocational sectors while improving the quality of artisans in key trades through structured training, certification and licensing.
The initiative is also expected to support the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce unemployment, boost productivity, promote industrial development and position Nigerian artisans to benefit from expanding opportunities in the global labour market.
In recent years, stakeholders have expressed concern over the increasing presence of foreign artisans in sectors such as construction, welding, electrical installation and industrial maintenance, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen local technical capacity.
