The Federal Government has reaffirmed its resolve to empower artisans at the grassroots, saying sustained skills development is critical to meeting national and international labour standards.
The Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr Afiz Ogun, gave the assurance on Thursday at the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) Zonal Rally in Kano, organised to raise awareness of the programme across the North-West.
Represented by the immediate past Zonal Director of the ITF, Muhammad Aminu, Ogun said the initiative was designed to reposition artisans as drivers of economic growth by transforming practical skills into sustainable livelihoods.
“The SUPA programme is about restoring dignity to skilled work and ensuring artisans acquire competencies that enable them to create value, earn better incomes and employ others, rather than remain job seekers,” he said.
According to him, the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises productivity, job creation and inclusive economic development.
Calling on artisans in the region to embrace the programme, Ogun said participation would help them improve productivity and compete beyond local markets. “We urge artisans across the North-West to take advantage of this opportunity to upgrade their skills and position themselves to compete nationally and globally,” he added.
He also appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, youth and women groups, as well as trade associations, to support the ITF in mobilising artisans for the programme.
“The aim of this rally is to ensure people are aware of the opportunities available and are able to make the most of them,” Ogun said.
Earlier, the Director of the Technical Vocational Skills Training Department, Mrs Nancy Ekong, disclosed that more than 30,000 artisans were trained and upgraded nationwide in 2025 under the first phase of the SUPA programme.
The Kano rally attracted artisans from diverse trades, including electrical installation, plumbing, welding and fabrication, carpentry, furniture making, automobile repairs, fashion design, construction and ICT, among others.
