The Federal Government has commenced the nationwide screening of shortlisted artisans for the 2026 edition of the Skill-Up Artisans Programme, an initiative designed to strengthen technical skills, improve employability and develop a globally competitive workforce.
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF), in a statement issued on Saturday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Thomas Ngor, said the exercise would be conducted across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the statement, the screening is aimed at assessing the eligibility, competence and practical experience of shortlisted applicants before they proceed to the next phase of the programme.
The exercise will be carried out in two phases. Artisans from the North-Central, North-West and North-East geopolitical zones will be screened from July 14 to July 17, while candidates from the South-East, South-West and South-South will undergo screening between July 21 and July 24.
The ITF said screening would take place simultaneously in the three senatorial districts of each state and the Federal Capital Territory to ensure wider participation.
“The Industrial Training Fund has concluded arrangements for the nationwide screening of shortlisted practising artisans for the 2026 Skill-Up Artisans Further Training Programme,” the statement said.
Speaking on the initiative, the Director-General of the ITF, Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, said the programme was created to bridge the skills gap in Nigeria’s artisanal sector and equip local craftsmen with modern competencies required in today’s labour market.
“Many employment opportunities in Nigeria’s artisanal sector were increasingly being filled by foreign workers because many local artisans lacked the contemporary technical skills required by industry,” Ogun said.
He explained that the programme exposes participants to modern technologies, international best practices and globally recognised certifications to enhance their competitiveness both within and outside Nigeria.
Ogun disclosed that the Fund had recently concluded the international certification examinations for beneficiaries of the 2025 SUPA programme.
“The examinations, which were supervised by Alberk QA Technic of Türkiye, assessed thousands of artisans across more than 20 high-demand vocational and technical trades using internationally recognised standards,” he stated.
According to him, the ITF is expanding partnerships with additional international certification organisations to ensure Nigerian artisans obtain qualifications that are recognised globally, thereby improving their employment prospects in international labour markets.
The Director-General also announced that preparations had been completed for the incubation phase of the 2025 SUPA programme, which will provide successful participants with mentorship, business development support and enterprise incubation services.
“The incubation phase is a critical component of the programme because it goes beyond skills acquisition. It provides mentorship, business development support and enterprise incubation services that will enable beneficiaries to establish viable businesses, create employment opportunities and contribute meaningfully to national development,” Ogun said.
He added that the government’s objective is to produce skilled entrepreneurs and employers of labour capable of advancing Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda.
“Our goal is not merely to train artisans but to develop successful entrepreneurs, employers of labour and globally competitive professionals who can drive Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda,” he added.
Ogun urged all shortlisted candidates to report to their designated screening centres with the required documents, noting that only successful applicants would proceed to the next stage of the programme.
The Skill-Up Artisans Programme is one of the Federal Government’s flagship human capital development initiatives aimed at training, certifying and licensing artisans to improve productivity, reduce unemployment and enhance Nigeria’s technical workforce.
The programme also seeks to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign artisans in key sectors such as construction, welding, electrical installation and industrial maintenance.
