The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has commenced a nationwide certification examination for Nigerian artisans under the Skill Up Artisans (SUPA) programme, one of the Federal Government’s flagship initiatives under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The programme is designed to upgrade the skills of Nigerian artisans, improve professionalism in the sector and equip them with certifications that can enable them to compete in the global labour market.
The certification examination, supervised by Alberk QA Technic of Turkey, began on Monday across 28 centres in 27 states, marking the largest artisan certification exercise conducted in Nigeria.
A total of 7,795 artisans are participating in the exercise, with the ITF committing ₦587 million to facilitate the certification process.
Participating states include Ogun, Osun, Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Benue, Kaduna and Kano.
The artisans are being assessed in 12 trade areas, including:
- Sewing and Cutting
- Plumbing and Pipe Fitting
- Tiling
- Masonry
- Welding and Fabrication
- Auto Mechanics
- Scaffolding
- Embroidery and Designing
- Painting and Decoration
- Electrical Installation
- Carpentry
- Joinery
Speaking at the ITF Centre of Excellence in Jos, the Director-General of the ITF, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, said the SUPA programme was established to tackle quackery, promote professionalism and ensure Nigerian artisans attain globally competitive standards.
Ogun explained that the current certification exercise followed a successful pilot programme conducted in Abuja several months ago, adding that additional batches would be certified in subsequent phases.
“We promised Nigerians a bouquet of certifications. Beyond Alberk QA Technic, we have Procore, DQA, City & Guilds coming in. These certifications do not come cheap, but the President is doing this for free,” he said.
According to the ITF Director-General, participating artisans will receive both international certifications and Nigeria’s National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) qualification, giving them a combination of credentials that can be recognised beyond the country.
He noted that the Nigerian artisan sector had been affected by widespread quackery, making it difficult for customers and employers to distinguish qualified professionals from untrained practitioners.
Ogun said the SUPA programme therefore includes a rigorous screening process to ensure that only practising artisans participate in the certification exercise.
The ITF boss also disclosed that the agency was developing a pipeline of future artisans through its Hands-On Trade Programme for secondary school students, which will be implemented across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Under the programme’s dual-education model, students will attend their regular academic classes until 1:30 p.m. before resuming practical training at ITF facilities from 4 p.m.
The students will undergo 13 hours of practical training each week and are expected to earn international certifications at the JSS2 and SS2 levels.
Ogun said the initiative would enable Nigerian youths to graduate with WAEC, City & Guilds and NSQF certifications, giving them valuable skills and improving their employability even before they proceed to university.
He described the SUPA programme as a direct Federal Government intervention aimed at reducing unemployment, reducing Nigeria’s dependence on foreign artisans and equipping citizens with skills that meet international standards.
