Abuja, July 15, 2026 -The Federal Government has set aside N3.6 billion to support tailors under the Skill Up Artisans Programme of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).. .
Afiz Ogun, the Chief Executive of the ITF, said this in Abuja on Wednesday during the screening of applicants for the 2026 training programme
He said the exercise was the first phase of the 2026 SUPA programme with about 200,000 artisans expected to benefit nationwide.
Ogun said the Fund was conducting nationwide screening of applicants to ensure that only genuine artisans benefit from the initiative.
He said the screening process goes beyond verifying documents, but also involve ascertaining the applicants’ skills and commitment.
The ITF boss said the screening was also to ensure that only genuine applicants would benefit from the initiative, and advised successful applicants to be prepared for a structured business incubation programme in Nigeria or abroad.
“We are screening them because some people will say they are artisans, but they are not artisans. Some people just want to come and collect the Federal Government money and go.
“They will not participate in the training. We want real artisans who are ready to scale up and improve their skills,” he said.
Ogun said the programme was designed to organise Nigeria’s informal technical sector by registering artisans, issuing internationally recognised and local certifications, and introducing a licensing framework that would improve professionalism and accountability
The ITF boss described SUPA as a flagship initiative of President Bola Tinubu aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s technical and vocational workforce while reducing dependence on foreign artisans.
He said the president wants Nigerian artisans to be trained, certified and licensed.
“When you engage a plumber or an electrician, you should be able to verify the person’s credentials, track performance and hold them accountable. This will improve service quality and create confidence in the sector,” Ogun said.
Ogun said the Fund had already trained hundreds of thousands of artisans since the programme was launched in 2024.
He said the government had moved away from the previous model of distributing starter packs immediately after training because many beneficiaries sold the equipment instead of using them to establish businesses.
Ogun said the revised approach focuses on sustainable empowerment through three exit pathways though which beneficiaries would be prepared for international job opportunities through talent export, linked with employers for direct job placement, or enrolled in a structured business incubation programme.
“For this year, we are incubating businesses for tailors because they constitute a large number of participants. The President has approved N3.6bn for this initiative,” he said.
Ogun said the support package include industrial sewing machines, overlock machines, specialised stitching equipment, electric cutters, scissors, consumables and business signboards.
He said participants would also receive continuous mentoring, entrepreneurship support and technical assistance to ensure the businesses remain viable.
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