By CHRISTIANA LOT, Jos –
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has revealed that it trained 29,000 foundation-level artisans in 2024 under its Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) programme, with plans to upgrade 100,000 more to international standards as part of efforts to tackle unemployment and boost economic productivity in Nigeria.
The Fund’s Director-General, Dr. Afiz Ogun Oluwatoyin, disclosed this on Saturday in Jos during the ITF’s 2024 performance review meeting and merit award ceremony.
According to him, the SUPA initiative—endorsed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is designed to transform Nigeria’s artisan workforce to meet both local and international labor demands. He noted that the programme also seeks to promote wealth creation through skills acquisition, migration opportunities, and start-up support.
“In our domain, last year alone, we trained 29,000 foundation-level artisans. Some are already employed, but that’s just the beginning—like kindergarten. We’re now moving to the next phase: upgrading existing artisans to international standards. We’re targeting 100,000 artisans,” Oluwatoyin stated.
He added that the programme is already creating significant impact nationwide, with beneficiaries being supported with tools, starter packs, and follow-up monitoring to ensure sustainability.
“We’re not just training people, we are creating wealth for them and for the country. SUPA is a presidential initiative. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally endorsed it, reviewed our Act, and handed it to ITF to implement. He’s monitoring it closely,” he added.
Oluwatoyin described 2024 as the Fund’s best year in terms of performance and revenue, noting that ITF surpassed its operational targets despite the anticipated disruptions following a change in government.
“2024 was good. We still performed excellently. Financially, it was our best year ever. ITF exceeded its targets across all areas. We have never generated this level of revenue before,” he said.
He emphasized that performance tracking and accountability have become central to the Fund’s operations, with scorecards now used in all area offices to encourage productivity and healthy competition.
“You reap what you sow. People in our area offices can now see their scorecards, and this helps them move forward. Those who have been relaxing are being encouraged. I don’t believe in working hard alone. I encourage people to work smart with great efficiency,” he noted.
The D-G also highlighted ITF’s commitment to inclusivity, revealing that a “special needs” category has been added to the Fund’s training portal to accommodate persons with disabilities.
“As we speak, that button is live. Anyone with special needs can now register. This is part of our effort to ensure that no one is left behind,” he said.
The event also featured award presentations to recognize outstanding performance across the Fund’s operations. The Abeokuta Area Office, Ogun State, was named overall best in training activities and best-performing area office in 2024.
Other awards were presented for top performers in training, revenue generation, and best-performing area offices under Categories A, B, and C.
