The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has disclosed that no fewer than 7,000 Nigerians are currently undergoing skills acquisition training under its Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) initiative across 28 training centres in 27 states of the country.
The Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, made the disclosure on Monday in Jos, Plateau State, while speaking to journalists during an inspection tour of one of the training facilities established for the implementation of the programme.
According to him, the initiative is designed to equip Nigerian artisans and other citizens with relevant technical and vocational skills to improve their livelihoods, enhance productivity, and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economic development.
He maintained that more than 200 SUPA beneficiaries recently sat for an international certification examination in Abuja, describing the development as part of the Fund’s efforts to expose Nigerian artisans to globally recognised standards.
The Director-General said the ITF was committed to ensuring that training provided under the SUPA initiative remained practical, industry-relevant, and capable of producing artisans who could compete favourably with their foreign counterparts in the modern economy.
He explained that the programme had been strategically expanded across the country, with 28 training centres currently participating in the exercise across 27 states.
Dr. Ogun said the training was part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to address unemployment, promote self-reliance, and strengthen Nigeria’s technical and vocational workforce.
The ITF Director-General further disclosed that about ₦700 million had been committed to the training of beneficiaries, stressing that the investment reflected the government’s determination to develop human capital and create sustainable economic opportunities for Nigerians.
He noted that investment in skills development remained critical to reducing unemployment and empowering citizens to earn decent incomes through legitimate trades and businesses.
According to him, the SUPA initiative was not merely about providing short-term training, but about creating a pool of skilled artisans capable of meeting the demands of industries, businesses, and households across the country.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that beneficiaries acquire practical knowledge that could translate into improved services, increased productivity, and greater economic value.
The inspection tour provided the ITF management with an opportunity to assess the quality of training facilities, interact with trainees, and monitor the implementation of the programme at the grassroots.
The Director-General expressed satisfaction with the level of participation and urged beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunity by remaining committed to their training.
He particularly encouraged younger trainees, including students, to see the skills they were acquiring as a foundation for building sustainable careers, establishing businesses, and creating employment opportunities for others.
Some of the secondary school students undergoing training also expressed appreciation to the ITF for the opportunity.
Essien Jochebed, who is receiving training in monogramming; Timilola Damilare, who is learning tailoring; and Forinsho Miracle, who is undergoing fashion design training, in separate interviews said they would not take the opportunity for granted.
The SUPA programme is expected to contribute to the repositioning of Nigeria’s informal sector by improving the capacity of artisans, enhancing the quality of technical services, and promoting entrepreneurship among young and working-age Nigerians.
With 7,000 citizens undergoing training across 28 centres and an estimated ₦700 million committed to the exercise, the ITF says the initiative represents a significant investment in skills development and the empowerment of Nigerians.
