FG Begins Nationwide Screening for New Batch of Artisans Under Skill-Up Programme

• The Federal Government has launched a nationwide screening exercise to select a new batch of artisans for advanced technical training under the Skill-Up Artisans Programme.

The Federal Government has commenced the selection process for a new batch of artisans to undergo advanced technical training under its Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA) as part of efforts to build a globally competitive workforce and reduce dependence on foreign artisans.

The nationwide screening exercise, organised by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), will verify the eligibility, competence and practical experience of shortlisted candidates before they proceed to the next phase of the programme.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the ITF, Thomas Ngor.

According to the Fund, the screening will be conducted in two phases across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to ensure smooth participation.

Artisans from the North-Central, North-West and North-East geopolitical zones will be screened between July 14 and July 17, 2026, while those from the South-East, South-West and South-South zones will undergo screening from July 21 to July 24, 2026.

To improve accessibility, the exercise will take place simultaneously across the three senatorial districts in every state and the Federal Capital Territory.

“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 importance of the initiative, the Director-General of the ITF, Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, said the programme was designed to bridge the growing skills gap in Nigeria’s artisanal sector and equip local craftsmen with modern technical competencies required by industry.

He noted that many jobs in Nigeria’s technical and vocational sectors are increasingly being filled by foreign workers because many local artisans lack the contemporary skills demanded by employers.

According to Ogun, the programme aims to reverse that trend by exposing Nigerian artisans to modern technologies, internationally recognised standards and global certification.

He revealed that the ITF recently completed international certification examinations for beneficiaries of the 2025 SUPA programme, describing it as a major milestone in the government’s drive to develop a world-class technical workforce.

The examinations were supervised by Alberk QA Technic of Türkiye and covered more than 20 high-demand vocational and technical trades using internationally recognised standards.

Ogun also disclosed that the Fund is expanding partnerships with additional international certification organisations to ensure Nigerian artisans obtain qualifications recognised across global labour markets.

According to him, the initiative will significantly improve the employability of beneficiaries while opening up more opportunities for them internationally.

The ITF boss further announced that preparations had been concluded for the incubation phase of the 2025 SUPA programme, which will provide beneficiaries with mentorship, enterprise development support and business incubation services.

He explained that the objective is not only to equip artisans with technical skills but also to empower them to establish sustainable businesses capable of creating jobs and contributing to national economic growth.

“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,” Ogun said.

He urged all shortlisted candidates to report to their designated screening centres with the required credentials, 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 upskilling, certifying and licensing artisans across Nigeria while strengthening the country’s technical workforce and reducing unemployment.