ITF trains 70,000 artisans in 2025
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) says it trained nearly 70,000 artisans across Nigeria in 2025 under its Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA) as part of efforts to tackle unemployment and boost vocational skills. Director of Technical and Vocational Skills Training, Nancy Ndidiamaka-Ekong, disclosed that 68,000 artisans and 3,000 intending artisans were trained last year, in addition […]
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) says it trained nearly 70,000 artisans across Nigeria in 2025 under its Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA) as part of efforts to tackle unemployment and boost vocational skills.
Director of Technical and Vocational Skills Training, Nancy Ndidiamaka-Ekong, disclosed that 68,000 artisans and 3,000 intending artisans were trained last year, in addition to 30,000 beneficiaries in 2024.
The Director, who spoke in Kano during the northwest SUPA rally on Thursday, said the program is aimed at empowering artisans with tech-driven training, official licensing, access to essential toolkits, and promoting industry standards.
She explained that the training covered both technical trades and soft skills such as customer relations, project management, ethics and communication, which enable artisans to run their businesses more effectively.
She noted that many of the beneficiaries have already become self-employed, while those who were previously in business have sharpened their skills and now enjoy greater patronage.
“If unemployment is the bane of our country, then skill acquisition is the solution,” she said.
Earlier speaking, ITF Director-General, Dr. Afiz Ogun, said the programme was designed to upgrade the skills of artisans in plumbing, electrical installation, welding, carpentry, automobile repairs, fashion design, ICT and other trades.
Represented by the immediate past northwest Zonal Director of the fund, Aminu Muhammad, the DG said the program is practical, hands-on and market-driven, aimed at transforming skills into sustainable livelihoods.
“SUPA is about restoring dignity to skilled work and proving that skills are not inferior to certificates but are, in fact, the foundation of every strong and productive economy,” Ogun said.
He added that thousands of artisans across the country have already been trained and certified through accredited centres and master trainers, with many reporting increased earnings, greater customer confidence and expanded businesses.
The ITF North-West Zonal Director, Dauda Mshelizah, said the programme commenced in the zone in August last year, with 25,000 artisans enrolled across 12 sectors of the economy.
He explained that participants were trained in plumbing, domestic electrification, welding and fabrication, animal production, poultry and other trades.
He described the programme as part of ITF’s efforts to support job creation, youth empowerment, poverty reduction and economic diversification across Nigeria.