The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has marked a significant milestone in its drive to professionalise Nigeria’s workforce, as thousands of participants in the Skill Up Artisans (SUPA) Programme sat for City and Guilds mock examinations nationwide on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
The exercise, held simultaneously across 34 approved centres and ITF Area Offices, covered nine specialised trades, including welding and fabrication, plumbing, scaffolding, electrical installation, auto mechanics, carpentry, cybersecurity, housekeeping, and waiter services.
According to Mrs Olayinka Shodunke, ITF’s Director of Standardisation and Certification, candidates were selected based on outstanding performance in both theoretical and practical training phases.
During an inspection tour, however, ITF Director-General Dr Afiz Ogun praised the collaboration with City and Guilds International, stressing that globally recognised credentials will enable Nigerian artisans to compete on an equal footing with peers worldwide.
He added that final examination dates will be scheduled after the mock scripts are assessed, revealing that ITF is in advanced discussions with other international certification bodies, including Alberk QA Technic, as part of efforts to diversify opportunities for SUPA graduates.
He announced that the 2026 phase of the programme will commence in the coming weeks, following a rigorous screening process in late 2025 that attracted hundreds of thousands of applicants.
While acknowledging the challenge of limited high-standard training centers, he reaffirmed ITF’s commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s directive to empower as many citizens as possible.
The DG encouraged Nigerian youths to register for the programme, describing skill acquisition under SUPA as a vital pathway to both local and international career success.
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