The Federal Government is set to launch ITF SUPA Marketplace, a job portal that will enable artisans trained under the Skill-Up Artisans programme to connect directly with jobs, clients, and service opportunities. The marketplace is already hosted on the official SUPA website and marked “Coming Soon,” signalling the next phase of the programme’s transition from skills training to employment and economic participation.
The development is tied to the broader objectives of the Industrial Training Fund, which has in recent years focused on repositioning the Skill-Up Artisans programme as a pathway from informal skills practice to structured economic engagement. SUPA was introduced to retrain, certify, and formally recognise artisans across different trades, with the aim of improving productivity, income, and access to opportunities within Nigeria and beyond.
The upcoming SUPA Marketplace on the ITF website indicates that the Fund is moving toward deploying digital tools to support those goals. Although the marketplace is not yet active, the “Coming Soon” notice suggests that development has advanced beyond the planning stage. Government platforms are typically published only after internal approvals, making the marketplace a planned component of the SUPA framework.
Comments made by the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, during earlier phases of the programme provide context for the marketplace initiative. While announcing the expansion of SUPA in 2025, Ogun said the programme aims to “aggregate existing and intending artisans in Nigeria by leveraging technology, ascertain their skill level, implement training to upskill these artisans, expose them to international certification examinations and ensure they are connected to the real economy either through direct employment or placement in foreign jobs.”
That statement highlighted technology and employment connection as core elements of SUPA, even before the marketplace became visible. In another engagement, Ogun explained that “the objective is not just to train artisans, but to make them employable and competitive within and outside the country.”
During the same period, ITF officials disclosed that the Fund was working with employer groups to improve job placement outcomes for SUPA graduates. Nigeria Startup News earlier reported that Ogun said ITF had “reached an advanced stage” in collaboration with the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) to link trained artisans with industries for gainful employment. The partnership was described as part of efforts to reduce skills mismatch and improve workforce absorption.
The employment focus was further reflected in the conduct of national certification examinations for over 100,000 artisans under the SUPA programme. Explaining the importance of the exercise, Ogun said the certifications were designed to “improve employability, productivity, and global competitiveness of Nigerian artisans.” He noted that internationally recognised standards would allow artisans to access better job opportunities locally and abroad.
Beyond job placement, the ITF has also spoken about enterprise development and post-training support. Ogun said the Fund was strengthening business incubation structures to support artisans who wish to establish their own ventures, stressing that “skills must lead to sustainable livelihoods, not just certificates.” This approach positions SUPA as both an employment and entrepreneurship programme.
The ITF SUPA Marketplace is expected to serve as a digital extension of these policies by providing a structured platform for artisans to showcase their skills and access demand. Once launched, the job portal is expected to allow artisans to receive job leads, connect with clients, and engage businesses seeking verified skilled workers, reducing reliance on informal referrals.
The marketplace initiative also aligns with a wider Federal Government strategy to use digital platforms to bridge the gap between training and employment. Recently, the federal government announced plans to launch a job portal under TVET programme to link trainees and graduates with employers. While separate from SUPA, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training portal reflects the same policy direction of ensuring training outcomes translate into real jobs.
With the SUPA Marketplace now visible on an official platform, attention is turning to its launch timeline and operational details. For thousands of artisans who have completed SUPA training and certification, the portal represents a potential link between acquired skills and consistent income. As the programme evolves, the marketplace is expected to play a central role in connecting Nigeria’s skilled artisans to real economic opportunities.
