ITF Begins International Certification for Nigerian Artisans
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has taken a major step towards putting Nigerian artisans on the global skills map with the launch of international certification examinations under its Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) programme.
The certification exercise, which kicked off in the Federal Capital Territory, has enrolled 296 SUPA-trained artisans seeking internationally recognised qualifications across more than 20 technical and vocational trades.
The examinations are being supervised by Alberk QA Technic of Turkey, with participating trades spanning fashion design, welding and fabrication, cybersecurity, automobile mechanics, tiling, bricklaying, painting and decoration, electrical and electronics work, carpentry and other skilled occupations.
According to the ITF, the initiative is designed to give Nigerian artisans credentials that can strengthen their professional standing and improve their chances of securing opportunities within and outside the country.
ITF Director-General, Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, described the certification as a significant milestone in efforts to transform artisanal work from largely informal occupations into professionally recognised careers.
The programme is part of the Federal Government’s wider strategy to strengthen technical and vocational education, improve the quality of skilled labour and create more pathways to sustainable employment and entrepreneurship.
Through SUPA, the ITF is working to equip artisans with practical skills while also providing certification, licensing and access to tools needed to operate more effectively and competitively.
The Fund is also scaling up the initiative. It has set a target of 200,000 artisans for training in 2026, alongside a ₦3.6 billion business incubation initiative aimed at supporting beneficiaries with equipment and helping them build sustainable enterprises.
The international certification could also help address one of the major challenges confronting Nigerian artisans: limited formal recognition of skills acquired through apprenticeships and informal training.
By introducing internationally benchmarked assessments, the ITF hopes to improve confidence in Nigerian craftsmanship while creating opportunities for artisans to access larger markets and compete for jobs and contracts beyond the country.
As Nigeria seeks to reduce unemployment and expand its skilled workforce, the SUPA initiative is positioning vocational skills as an increasingly important pathway to job creation, entrepreneurship and economic growth.
