Industrial Training Fund targets 200,000 new artisans for training by 2026

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has announced plans to train an additional 200,000 artisans in 2026 through its Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) programme. Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, the ITF Director-General, stated that the initiative aims to train, retrain, standardize, and professionalize artisanal practices across Nigeria.

To support these efforts, the ITF has moved away from traditional starter-pack models in favor of three sustainable exit pathways: Talent Export, Industry Placement, and Business Incubation. This shift is intended to provide beneficiaries with direct opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. The Fund has already assessed 1,308 training centers nationwide, approving 776 to expand access to quality technical training.

Furthermore, Nigeria has officially become the 83rd member of WorldSkills International following the establishment of the WorldSkills Academy in Abuja. This membership, combined with partnerships with international institutions such as City & Guilds (UK) and METI (Japan), is designed to ensure Nigerian skills development meets global standards and allows technical professionals to compete in the international labor market.