Thousands of skilled Nigerian workers could soon have better access to international job opportunities as the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) set to certify artisans with globally recognized qualifications under its Skill Up Artisans (SUPA) programme.
The agency announced that 296 artisans in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will participate in the first phase of the certification exercise scheduled to hold from May 18 to May 20, 2026.
If you’re just hearing about this program for the first time, check out this carefully curated article on: All You Need to Know About ITF SUPA Programme 2026: Requirements, Benefits & How to Apply
According to the ITF, the programme is designed to improve the employability, earning potential, and global competitiveness of Nigerian artisans by equipping them with internationally accepted certifications.
The certification examination will cover more than 20 vocational and technical skill areas and will be supervised by Turkish certification company, Alberk QA Technic.
The initiative is expected to create new opportunities for skilled workers in Nigeria, especially as many countries across Europe, the Middle East, and North America continue to experience shortages of certified technical workers and artisans.
Some of the vocational fields expected to benefit from the programme include electrical installation, welding, plumbing, carpentry, masonry, automobile repairs, tailoring, and other technical trades.
In a statement signed by the ITF Head of Press and Public Relations, Thomas Ngor, the agency described the exercise as a major step toward repositioning vocational training and technical skills development in Nigeria.
Speaking ahead of the examination, Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun said the certification process would validate the competence of participating artisans and improve their chances of securing better-paying jobs both within and outside Nigeria.
“This certification exercise, conducted under the rigorous standards of Alberk QA Technic, will validate the skills acquired by the artisans and provide them with internationally recognised certification,” Ogun stated.
According to him, partnering with the Turkish certification firm would strengthen the transparency, credibility, and global acceptance of the process.
Ogun also disclosed that the City & Guilds of London Institute had earlier conducted a mock certification examination for SUPA trainees after approving the ITF as an examination centre.
He explained that the broader goal of the programme is to ensure Nigerian artisans can compete effectively in the global labour market through recognised certifications capable of improving mobility, productivity, and income opportunities.
“The era when artisanship was viewed as inferior is long gone. Today, technical and vocational skills are among the strongest drivers of industrial growth, innovation, entrepreneurship and national development,” he added.
The ITF boss further revealed that more states across Nigeria would benefit from the certification exercise after the FCT phase, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) nationwide.
What You Should Know
- 296 artisans will participate in the first certification phase in Abuja
- The examination will hold from May 18 to May 20, 2026
- More than 20 vocational and technical skill areas will be covered
- The exercise will be supervised by Turkish certification company Alberk QA Technic
- More states are expected to benefit from the programme after the FCT phase
With the planned expansion of the SUPA programme nationwide, the ITF hopes to reposition technical and vocational skills as a major pathway to employment, entrepreneurship, and economic growth in Nigeria while helping more artisans secure international jobs and globally recognised certifications.
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