In a bid to raise the standard of craftsmanship in Nigeria and reduce reliance on foreign artisans, the Federal Government is set to train 100,000 artisans nationwide through its Skill Up Artisans (SUPA) initiative.
The Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Oluwatoyin Afiz Ogun, announced this on Tuesday during the inauguration of the Association of Nigeria Artisans and Technicians (ASNAT) Southwest/Ondo State Secretariat in Akure, Ondo State.
Ogun explained that the SUPA programme is a strategic effort aimed at narrowing the skilled labour gap in the country by equipping both aspiring and established artisans with world-class training.
“Our goal is to ensure Nigerian artisans can compete globally. We’ve already laid the groundwork, having trained over 29,000 individuals last year, and this year we are scaling up to reach 100,000,” Ogun said. “This project is a presidential mandate. President Bola Tinubu is committed to empowering artisans, ensuring they no longer lose jobs to foreign competitors.”
He emphasized that the initiative not only aims to curb quackery in the profession but also seeks to elevate the status of artisans by issuing professional licenses and promoting dignity in manual trades. “For the first time in our history, a Nigerian President is actively prioritizing the needs of artisans,” Ogun added.
Ogun also lauded the Tinubu administration for investing in the revitalization of technical colleges across both federal and state levels, noting this as part of a larger plan to arm young Nigerians with future-ready skills.
Adesina Akinyemi, the National Coordinator of ASNAT, praised the programme as a transformative step that would allow Nigerian artisans to compete on a global scale. “SUPA is a major breakthrough. It gives our members the tools and confidence to meet international benchmarks,” he noted.
Also speaking at the event, Sobande Oyeleye, Assistant Coordinator for ASNAT in Ondo State, highlighted the importance of the federal recognition. He urged fellow artisans to embrace the initiative, saying, “This is an opportunity for every artisan to grow, learn, and be part of something historic.”
As Nigeria pushes toward economic transformation, SUPA represents a bold move to unlock the full potential of its skilled workforce, laying the foundation for a more self-reliant and competitive nation.
