The federal government has commenced the nationwide screening of shortlisted candidates for the 2026 Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) Programme in a renewed effort to strengthen Nigeria’s skilled workforce and reduce dependence on foreign artisans.
Key Highlights:
- FG begins screening for the 2026 SUPA skills programme.
- The exercise covers all 36 states and the FCT.
- ITF says the initiative will train skilled artisans to global standards.
- Successful candidates will receive technical training and certification.
- SUPA aims to reduce Nigeria’s skills gap and create jobs.
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) said the exercise taking place across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is designed to assess the eligibility, competence and practical experience of applicants before they proceed to the next phase of the programme.
A statement issued by the ITF’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Thomas Ngor, on Saturday, said the screening will be conducted in two phases.
Applicants from the North-Central, North-West and North-East geopolitical zones will be screened between July 14 and July 17, while those from the South-East, South-West and South-South will undergo screening from July 21 to July 24, 2026.
The fund said screening centres have been established across the three senatorial districts in every state and the FCT to ensure easy access for participants.
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Director-General of the ITF, Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, said the SUPA initiative was introduced to bridge the country’s widening skills gap and produce artisans capable of meeting global industry standards.
He noted that the programme provides participants with advanced technical training, internationally recognised certifications and practical skills needed to compete in both local and international labour markets.
Ogun disclosed that beneficiaries of the 2025 edition recently completed international certification examinations supervised by Alberk QA Technic of Türkiye in more than 20 high-demand vocational and technical trades.
He added that the ITF is expanding partnerships with additional global certification bodies to further improve the quality and global recognition of Nigerian artisans.
The ITF boss also announced that preparations have been concluded for the incubation phase of the 2025 programme, which will offer mentorship, business development support and enterprise incubation services to enable participants establish sustainable businesses and create jobs.
He urged all shortlisted applicants to report to their designated screening centres with the required documents, stressing that only successful candidates would progress to the next stage of the programme.
