The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has unveiled plans to commence the nationwide screening of shortlisted candidates for the 2026 Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) Further Training Programme, marking another phase in the Federal Government’s drive to strengthen Nigeria’s skilled workforce and improve the competitiveness of local artisans.
The screening exercise, which is intended to verify applicants’ eligibility and assess their practical competence, will be conducted in two phases across the country’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).Candidates from the Northern region, comprising the North-Central, North-West and North-East geopolitical zones, will be screened from July 14 to July 17, 2026. Those from the Southern region, covering the South-East, South-West and South-South zones, are scheduled to undergo screening between July 21 and July 24, 2026.
According to the ITF, the assessment process is designed to ensure that only qualified artisans with demonstrable technical skills are admitted into the programme, thereby maintaining the quality and credibility of the initiative.
Speaking on the programme, ITF Director-General Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun said the SUPA initiative was created to address Nigeria’s persistent shortage of highly skilled artisans, a gap that has increasingly compelled companies operating in key sectors to recruit foreign technical workers for specialised roles.
He noted that the programme seeks to equip Nigerian artisans with modern technical competencies, industry-relevant knowledge and internationally recognised certifications that will enable them to compete effectively in both domestic and global labour markets.
The initiative aligns with broader government efforts to improve technical and vocational education, enhance youth employability and support industrial development through a stronger pool of certified skilled workers.
The ITF has continued to expand the programme’s international reach. Recently, beneficiaries of the 2025 SUPA cohort completed internationally recognised certification examinations conducted in partnership with Türkiye’s Alberk QA Technic. The examinations covered more than 20 high-demand trades spanning construction, manufacturing, electrical installation, welding, plumbing, automotive services and other technical disciplines.
The Fund said it is also deepening collaboration with additional international certification organisations to broaden the range of globally recognised qualifications available to Nigerian artisans.
Labour market analysts say initiatives such as SUPA could help reduce Nigeria’s skills deficit, improve productivity across critical industries and create better employment opportunities for technically skilled workers. By producing artisans who meet international standards, the programme is expected to strengthen local capacity, reduce dependence on imported technical expertise and position Nigeria as a supplier of certified skilled labour to regional and global markets.
