From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has begun onboarding the next batch of artisans for the second phase of its Skill Up Artisans Program (SUPA).
In a statement issued in Abuja, ITF Director-General Dr. Oluwatoyin Afiz Ogun announced that this phase follows the successful completion of the program’s pilot stage, known as the SUPA Foundation.
“In its 54 years of existence, the SUPA program remains ITF’s most well-thought-out and impactful intervention aimed at addressing the shortage of skilled manpower in Nigerian industries. The program aggregates both existing and aspiring artisans, leveraging technology to assess their skill levels, provide upskilling opportunities, and expose them to international certification examinations. Ultimately, the goal is to integrate them into the real economy through direct employment or placement in foreign jobs,” Ogun said.
He emphasized ITF’s commitment to delivering on this mandate, utilizing its institutional and infrastructural capabilities.
Dr. Ogun explained that SUPA is structured into three phases: the Foundation Phase, which serves as an introductory training stage; SUPA I, which focuses on soft skills, including certification in Artisan Project Management,
Artisan Health and Safety, and Artisan Ethics and Patriotism; and SUPA II, which provides technical and entrepreneurial training, culminating in certification exams by international awarding bodies.
He highlighted the successful graduation of 29,000 artisans from the Foundation Phase in 2024. The ITF facilitated this by creating a dedicated registration platform (www.supa.itf.gov.ng), conducting nationwide screening
in 90 senatorial districts, assessing and enlisting qualified training centers, and monitoring training sessions. Despite initial challenges, both the artisans and training centers received their promised stipends.
As ITF prepares to launch the next phase, Dr. Ogun revealed plans to improve the onboarding process and streamline payment disbursements for trainees and training centers. Internal restructuring within ITF is also underway to provide better operational support for these improvements.
“Furthermore, we are finalizing the production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and securing Essential Training Materials (ETMs) ahead of the program’s commencement. The 100,000 artisans set to participate in SUPA Phase I include the 29,000 graduates from the Foundation Phase. They should expect formal admission notifications soon.”
A comprehensive list of the 100,000 selected trainees will be published on the SUPA website (www.supa.itf.gov.ng) and ITF’s official website (www.itf.gov.ng).
The Phase I training is expected to last between six to eight weeks, culminating in a certification examination at no cost to the participants.
Successful candidates will automatically transition to SUPA Phase II, where they will receive advanced technical training in their chosen trade before sitting for certification exams.
Dr. Ogun disclosed that ITF is preparing to conduct another round of Training Centre assessments to increase the number of enlisted centers from 800 to at least 1,500. The agency is also in discussions with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for the bulk purchase of training equipment to support these centers.
“To fully activate the three identified exit pathways into the larger economy, ITF has reached an advanced stage in its collaboration with the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA) to link SUPA graduates with employment opportunities in various industries,” he stated.
Additionally, the ITF is finalizing plans for SUPA business incubation, which will be piloted in upcoming special projects.
“I am committed to institutionalizing SUPA as an alternative pathway to prosperity beyond formal education.
This aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive and reinforces ITF’s original mandate—to bridge Nigeria’s manpower gap through structured modular training,” Dr. Ogun concluded.