A total of 100,000 artisans enrolled in the second phase of the Industrial Training Fund’s (ITF) Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) programme will sit for examinations on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
The exams are part of a push to certify Nigerian artisans with credentials recognized beyond borders.
ITF’s Head of Press, Thomas Ngor, said the assessment will be conducted by the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN).
The exams will test soft-skill modules like project management, occupational health and safety, and professional ethics—core areas aimed at preparing artisans to compete internationally.
The SUPA initiative has been seen as a way to narrow Nigeria’s skills gap and reduce unemployment. Its first phase graduated about 29,000 artisans in 2024, setting the stage for this expanded rollout.
The Certification Drive and Its Promise
Dr. Afiz Ogun, DG of ITF, reaffirmed his commitment to training, certifying, and licensing artisans to global standards. “Our mission is to build an indigenous workforce that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with peers anywhere in the world,” he said.
He noted that SUPA’s certification framework already enjoys approval from City & Guilds London, which allows artisans to obtain a prestigious credential in Nigeria.
The Fund is also in talks with ALBERK QA TECHNIC (Turkey) and other global bodies to broaden its credential offerings.
Under the SUPA model, training occurs in three phases: Foundation (basic skills assessment), SUPA I (soft skills, culminating in CIPMN exams), and SUPA II (advanced technical training).
Ogun said those who complete all stages receive certification that validates their skills for employment, international placement, or self-employment.
He praised CIPMN as a trusted partner: “CIPMN has been a consistent partner since SUPA began, and we are confident that the examinations they are administering will reflect the quality we envisage.”
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