By Israel Adamu, Jos
Over 100,000 trainees 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 ITF Head of Press and Public Relations, Thomas Ngor, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, explaining that the tests will be administered by the Chartered Institute of Project Management of Nigeria (CIPMN). The examinations will assess trainees’ proficiency in soft skills, including project management, occupational health and safety, and professional ethics—modules designed to raise artisans’ competence to global standards.
The SUPA programme was created to bridge Nigeria’s skilled manpower gap by identifying, training, and upgrading the capacity of both aspiring and practicing artisans. It also incorporates technology for skill assessment and targeted training delivery.
Speaking ahead of the examinations, ITF Director-General Dr. Afiz Ogun reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to certifying Nigerian artisans with internationally recognised credentials. “Our goal is to build an indigenous workforce capable of competing with their global peers,” he said.
Ogun noted that internationally accredited certifications would not only improve employability but also reduce unemployment and related socio-economic challenges. He added that ITF had secured approval from City and Guilds London as one of its select examination centres in Nigeria, while talks were ongoing with ALBERK QA TECHNIC of Turkey and other bodies to expand certification options.
According to him, the SUPA framework has three stages: the Foundation phase for basic skills assessment, SUPA I for soft skills development—culminating in the upcoming CIPMN exams—and SUPA II for advanced technical training. Successful candidates will be certified for employment, international placements, or self-employment.
He commended CIPMN for its role in implementing SUPA, describing the institute as “a steadfast partner since the programme’s inception.”
The second phase of SUPA began enrolment in March after the successful pilot phase, which graduated 29,000 artisans in early 2024.
