By Israel Adamu, Jos
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Nigeria’s premier agency for human capacity development, on Wednesday pledged to intensify the training of artisans as it marked its 54th anniversary, celebrating more than five decades of commitment to skills development, innovation, and industrial growth in the country.
Established on October 8, 1971, under Decree No. 47 (now the Industrial Training Fund Act), the ITF has remained dedicated to bridging the skills gap in Nigeria’s industrial and commercial sectors, fostering a pool of indigenous talent to drive economic development.
Over the years, the ITF has grown from being a response to post-independence manpower shortages into a dynamic force for vocational training, innovation, and workforce upskilling.
In a message to stakeholders, the Director-General and Chief Executive of the ITF, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, described the anniversary as a time to reflect on the Fund’s transformation, resilience, and impact on Nigeria’s workforce and industrial landscape.
According to a statement signed by Thomas Ngor, Head of the Press and Public Relations Unit, Dr. Ogun said the ITF had remained focused on equipping Nigerians with the skills required for productivity, employability, and national development. He stressed that the anniversary was not just a celebration of longevity but also of relevance, resilience, and tangible results.
Dr. Ogun highlighted that the ITF had, through strategic programmes and partnerships, trained over 25 million Nigerians in various trades, empowering them with marketable skills and entrepreneurial capabilities.
He noted that among its numerous initiatives, the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) Programme stood out as one of the agency’s flagship achievements. The programme, he said, was designed to retool, retrain, and certify Nigerian artisans in line with international standards, thereby positioning them to compete effectively in both local and global markets.
He further explained that the SUPA Programme had already produced thousands of certified artisans in sectors such as electrical installation, tiling, plumbing, ICT, fashion design, and project management, among others.
Dr. Ogun emphasized that the SUPA Programme exemplified the ITF’s renewed commitment to bridging the gap between potential and productivity by formalizing the informal sector and building a competent workforce capable of driving Nigeria’s industrial transformation.
“The Skill-Up Artisans Programme is a practical expression of our vision to build a future-ready workforce. We are equipping artisans with globally recognized skills, improving their employability, and ensuring Nigeria’s industrial sector is powered by competent hands,” he stated.
