ITF DG Warns Group Against Sabotage Of Skill-Up Artisan Programme

…Conducts Examination In 30 Trade Areas For Artisans

The Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr Oluwatoyin Ogun has issued a stern warning to a self-styled “SUPA Beneficiary Association” against moves to sabotage the Federal Government’s Skill-Up Artisan Programme, describing such actions as harmful to Nigeria’s quest to empower its teeming youth population with employable skills.

The DG, who spoke during the conduct of examinations for artisans in 30 trade areas under the programme, reaffirmed the ITF’s determination to deliver a scheme that will equip thousands of Nigerians with market-ready skills for the local and global economy.

According to him, the Skill-Up Artisan initiative is structured with three distinct exit routes tailored to meet the diverse needs of participants.

The first pathway is direct job placement in Nigerian industries and companies, a model designed to bridge the gap between the rising number of unemployed youths and the chronic shortage of skilled labour in critical sectors.

The second pathway, he explained, focuses on talent export to countries in need of skilled manpower.

While acknowledging opposition to the idea of talent export, the DG emphasised that organised labour migration had become a global practice, citing China and India as examples of countries that have successfully harnessed the benefits.

“Talent export is not a weakness but a strength. Countries like India and China have built strong economies on the back of skilled manpower exported abroad. Nigeria cannot be an exception, provided it is done in an organised manner that benefits the nation,” he stressed.

The third exit option available to participants is business incubation for those with entrepreneurial ambitions.

This model, he said, is backed by a compulsory two-week entrepreneurial training session aimed at instilling discipline, innovation, and sustainable business practices among trainees.

He noted that the ITF deliberately avoided a strategy of distributing free start-up funds, which often leads beneficiaries to sell off their businesses shortly after establishment.

“This programme is not about handouts or free money,” the DG declared. “It is about creating long-term, sustainable value. We want participants to build businesses that will last and contribute to the economy rather than look for quick gains.”

He further disclosed that thousands of artisans had enrolled in examinations covering 30 trade areas, including construction, automotive works, information technology, welding, plumbing, and electrical installations.

These exams, he explained, are vital to assessing the competency of trainees and ensuring they meet required professional standards.

Despite the progress recorded, the DG expressed concern about attempts by a group parading itself as a “SUPA Beneficiary Association” to derail the programme.

The association, he alleged, had been engaging in acts of blackmail, including writing letters to demand vehicles for monitoring activities and spreading propaganda to discredit the scheme.

He described the group as being politically sponsored and warned participants against joining it.

“This so-called association is not recognised by the ITF or the Federal Government. Their demands are unacceptable and designed to create unnecessary distractions.

“We urge all beneficiaries to stay focused on the training and not allow themselves to be used to sabotage their own future,” he cautioned.

The DG maintained that the Skill-Up Artisan Programme has the full backing of the Federal Government and is central to its drive to tackle unemployment, curb poverty, and address the skills gap that has hindered industrial growth in the country.

“Nigeria’s industries continue to lament the shortage of skilled manpower, even as millions of young people roam the streets without jobs.

“This programme is the bridge between the two realities, and we cannot afford to let politics or selfish interests stand in the way,” he said.

Stakeholders in the vocational and technical education sector have long argued that Nigeria’s unemployment crisis is less about lack of opportunities and more about lack of relevant skills. Studies by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the World Bank have consistently highlighted the country’s mismatch between labour supply and demand.

By introducing the Skill-Up Artisan initiative, the ITF aims to address these gaps while also aligning Nigeria with global trends where technical and vocational skills are regarded as key drivers of economic development.

The DG underscored that with examinations now ongoing across the 30 trade areas, the programme would soon begin producing certified artisans who are not only job-ready but also positioned to become employers of labour themselves. He urged state governments, industries, and development partners to continue supporting the ITF in sustaining the scheme’s integrity.

“The success of this programme depends on the commitment of all stakeholders—government, private sector, and the beneficiaries themselves. Our role is to provide the platform, but the real impact will come when trainees embrace the skills they acquire and put them to productive use,” he concluded.

With the warning against sabotage issued, the ITF assured Nigerians that the Skill-Up Artisan Programme would remain focused on its mission of building a skilled workforce, reducing unemployment, and contributing meaningfully to the nation’s economic growth.

Also speaking was the Registrar General of the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria, CIPMN, Chief Henry Mbadiwe, who expressed the Institute’s support for ITF in achieving its mandate on the SUPA Programme.

Mbadiwe stressed the need for the beneficiaries to be committed to the objectives of the SUPA Programme to enhance national economic development.

He emphasised the importance of project management skills in various sectors, particularly highlighting the role of artisans.

He also noted that artisans who understand project management can effectively plan and manage risks, leading to efficient use of resources.

Proper project management, he noted, would reduce waste and increase the effectiveness of artisans’ work, ultimately delivering more value to clients.

The CIPMN Boss suggested that elevating project management skills in Nigeria, including the artisan space, can lead to better planning and management of work.

Some of the beneficiaries of the SUPA Programme commended the adoption of the use of local languages in the conduct of the examination.

They also thanked ITF for allowing them to be part of the SUPA Programme, adding that the programme would go a long way in making them self-reliant.