ITF Screens 100,000 Artisans Nationwide as SUPA Programme Begins

Nigeria's Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has launched a nationwide screening process for 100,000 artisans participating in its Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) Programme. Over 3,000 individuals are undergoing verification in Lagos as part of this extensive exercise.

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We rolled out the portal for them to register. They have registered, and we are here to see them, interview them and verify whether they are actual artisans we are going to deal with.

The SUPA Programme is designed to provide free technical training, internationally recognized certifications, and job placement opportunities. This initiative aligns with the federal government's broader strategy to enhance Nigeria's skilled workforce and advance President Bola Tinubu's economic transformation agenda. The goal is to equip artisans with skills that meet global standards, thereby increasing their competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.

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SUPA programme is completely free. If anybody says that you should pay any money, I think you should let us know, so that we will know how to deal with the person squarely.

Hassan Sauman, Head of the Technical Vocational Skills Training Development Department at ITF, stated that the screening ensures applicants are genuine artisans before admission into the three-month training. He stressed that the program is entirely free and warned applicants against fraudulent facilitators. The program aims to upskill artisans, provide them with international certification, and facilitate job placements through partnerships. ITF also intends to create a national database of artisans to track their progress and connect them with opportunities.

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The first objective is to upskill artisans to global standards. Secondly, artisans will be exposed to international certification, which means they can go out to practise anywhere in the world.