FG Begins Nationwide Screening For 2026 Artisan Training Programme
The Federal Government has commenced the process of selecting a new batch of artisans for advanced technical training under its Skill-Up Artisans Programme, with the Industrial Training Fund announcing a nationwide screening exercise aimed at producing globally competitive craftsmen and technicians.
The move comes as the government intensifies efforts to build a globally competitive workforce and reduce dependence on foreign artisans in critical sectors of the economy.
The screening exercise, which will be conducted across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, aims to verify the eligibility, competence and practical experience of shortlisted candidates before their admission into the next phase of the training programme.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the ITF, Thomas Ngor.
According to the Fund, the exercise will be conducted in two phases to ensure smooth participation across the country.
Artisans from the North-Central, North-West and North-East geopolitical zones will be screened between July 14 and July 17, 2026, while those from the South-East, South-West and South-South zones will undergo screening from July 21 to July 24, 2026.
To ensure accessibility and broad participation, the exercise will take place simultaneously across the three senatorial districts in each state and the Federal Capital Territory.
The statement read, “The Industrial Training Fund has concluded arrangements for the nationwide screening of shortlisted practising artisans for the 2026 Skill-Up Artisans Further Training Programme.
“The exercise will be conducted in two phases across the country. Screening for the Northern Zone, comprising the North-Central, North-West and North-East geopolitical zones, will hold from Tuesday, July 14 to Friday, July 17, 2026, while artisans from the Southern Zone, comprising the South-East, South-West and South-South geopolitical zones, will be screened from Tuesday, July 21 to Friday, July 24, 2026.”
Speaking on the significance of the exercise, the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund, Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, said the programme was designed to address the growing skills gap in Nigeria’s artisanal sector and equip local craftsmen with the competencies needed to compete effectively in both local and international labour markets.
He noted, “Many employment opportunities in Nigeria’s artisanal sector were increasingly being filled by foreign workers because many local artisans lacked the contemporary technical skills required by industry.”
According to him, the Fund’s intervention seeks to reverse the trend by exposing artisans to modern technologies, international standards and globally recognised certifications.
The Director-General disclosed that the Fund had recently completed international certification examinations for beneficiaries of the 2025 edition of the programme, describing the exercise as a major milestone in the government’s efforts to develop a world-class technical workforce.
According to him, the examinations were supervised by Alberk QA Technic of Türkiye and covered more than 20 high-demand vocational and technical trades.
“The Fund recently concluded the international certification examinations for beneficiaries of the 2025 SUPA programme. The examinations, which were supervised by Alberk QA Technic of Türkiye, assessed thousands of artisans across more than 20 high-demand vocational and technical trades using internationally recognised standards,” he added.
Ogun further revealed that the Fund was broadening its collaboration with additional international certification organisations to ensure Nigerian artisans obtained qualifications that enjoy global recognition and acceptance.
He said the initiative would not only improve the employability of beneficiaries but also increase their opportunities in international labour markets.
The ITF boss also announced that preparations had been completed for the incubation phase of the 2025 SUPA programme, which is expected to provide beneficiaries with mentorship, enterprise development support and business incubation services.
According to him, the objective is to empower successful participants not only to acquire skills but also to establish sustainable businesses capable of creating jobs and contributing to economic growth.
“The incubation phase is a critical component of the programme because it goes beyond skills acquisition. It provides mentorship, business development support and enterprise incubation services that will enable beneficiaries to establish viable businesses, create employment opportunities and contribute meaningfully to national development.
“Our goal is not merely to train artisans but to develop successful entrepreneurs, employers of labour and globally competitive professionals who can drive Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda,” Ogun said.
He reiterated that the Skill-Up Artisans Programme remains one of the Federal Government’s flagship human capital development initiatives aimed at upskilling, certifying and licensing artisans across the country.
He urged all shortlisted candidates to report to their designated screening centres with the required credentials, stressing that only successful applicants would advance to the next phase of the programme.
The Skill-Up Artisans Programme was introduced by the Industrial Training Fund as part of efforts to address skills shortages in Nigeria’s technical and vocational sectors.
The initiative seeks to improve the quality of artisans in key trades through training, certification and licensing.
It forms a critical component of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to strengthen human capital development, reduce unemployment, improve productivity and position Nigerian artisans to take advantage of growing opportunities in both domestic and international labour markets.
In recent years, concerns have grown over the influx of foreign artisans into sectors such as construction, welding, electrical installation and industrial maintenance, highlighting the need for stronger technical skills development among Nigerian workers.
