The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has officially commenced international certification examinations for 296 beneficiaries of the Skill Up Artisans (SUPA) program in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The exercise, which runs from Monday, May 18, to Tuesday, May 19, 2026, is being supervised by Alberk QA Technic, a prominent certification body based in Turkey. The move is part of the Federal Government’s strategic initiative to provide Nigerian artisans with globally recognized credentials.
Focus on High-Demand Trades
The candidates will be assessed across more than 20 vocational and technical fields essential to the nation’s industrial sector. These include:
- Technology & Digital: Cyber Security, Electrical and Electronics.
- Construction & Finishing: Tiling, Bricklaying, Painting and Decoration, Carpentry.
- Engineering & Design: Welding and Fabrication, Automechanics, and Fashion Design.
Elevating Global Competitiveness
Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, Director-General of the ITF, described the examination as a pivotal moment for the Nigerian workforce. He emphasized that the partnership with Alberk QA Technic ensures that the certification process meets rigorous international standards, enhancing the “employability, mobility, and earning potential” of the participants.
”The era when artisanship was viewed as inferior is long gone,” Dr. Ogun stated. “Through SUPA, we are deliberately creating a new generation of highly skilled artisans who will contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic transformation.”
The Director-General also noted that this follows a successful mock examination conducted earlier by the City & Guilds of London Institute, which helped prepare the trainees for global assessment benchmarks.
National Expansion
Following the conclusion of the FCT assessments, Alberk QA Technic is scheduled to move to other states across the federation to certify additional batches of SUPA trainees.
The ITF reiterated its commitment to strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a primary driver for national prosperity and youth empowerment.
