The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has concluded the training phase of the current batch of the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) Programme for artisans across the North-West, reaffirming its commitment to resuscitating vocational skills and strengthening grassroots economic empowerment.
The conclusion of the training was marked at the SUPA Programme zonal rally held in Kano, where the Director-General and Chief Executive of ITF, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, represented by the ITF Zonal Director, Dauda M. Sharif, described Kano as a historic hub of commerce, craftsmanship and enterprise, stressing that sustainable development must be driven from the grassroots.
Dr. Ogun explained that the SUPA initiative was designed to recognise, strengthen and elevate Nigerian artisans who possess practical skills but lack access to structured training, certification and modern techniques. According to him, the programme adopts a hands-on, market-driven approach aimed at improving productivity, safety, income and professional dignity.
He disclosed that SUPA targets artisans across a wide range of trades, including electrical installation, plumbing, welding and fabrication, carpentry, furniture making, automobile repairs, fashion design, construction, ICT, poultry and animal husbandry, among other technical vocations critical to economic growth. He said the objective is to transform skilled workers into certified professionals and employers of labour rather than job seekers.
The ITF boss noted that Kano and the wider North-West region stand to benefit significantly from the programme, given the concentration of artisans, workshops and industrial clusters in the area. He stressed that in today’s competitive economy, raw skills must be upgraded to meet national and international standards.
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Highlighting the programme’s achievements, Dr. Ogun said the SUPA scheme is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda initiated by ITF in August 2025 with the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and is being implemented nationwide. He disclosed that about 25,000 artisans were trained in this batch across various skills after applying online and undergoing training at accredited centres based on their individual interests.
He added that the programme has recorded remarkable success, judging by the testimonies of beneficiaries who reported improved competence, increased earnings and expanded business opportunities.
Speaking earlier, the Director of Technical and Vocational Training Skills Department of ITF, Ekong Nancy Ndidiamaka, disclosed that 30,000 artisans were trained under the programme in 2024. She added that the figure significantly increased in 2025, with about 68,000 artisans trained, alongside an additional 3,000 intending trainees, bringing the total close to 70,000.
Ndidiamaka explained that beyond technical training, beneficiaries were also equipped with soft skills such as customer relations, project management and basic business management to enable them operate their businesses more effectively.
She emphasised that SUPA was designed to equip youths with practical, income-generating skills capable of making meaningful economic impact, particularly in the face of shrinking white-collar job opportunities. According to her, the programme also focuses on sharpening existing skills for artisans already engaged in their trades.
One of the beneficiaries, Malam Salim Abdulkadir Mansur, who underwent training in animal husbandry, expressed appreciation to ITF for the opportunity to participate in the programme under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He noted that the training was enhanced by the provision of transport stipends to participants, adding that ITF had assured beneficiaries that outstanding payments were being processed.
The rally concluded with a renewed pledge by ITF to ensure transparency, inclusiveness and quality implementation of the Skill-Up Artisans Programme as a long-term investment in people, productivity and national development.