The Federal Government has announced that the 2026 phase of the Skill Up Artisans (SUPA) programme will begin in the coming weeks, following the successful nationwide screening of applicants conducted in December 2025.
The Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Afiz Ogun, disclosed this during a visit to examination centres where selected SUPA trainees sat for City and Guilds mock exams across the country. The development signals the next stage of the government’s effort to equip Nigerians with practical, job-ready skills.
According to Ogun, the upcoming phase is a continuation of a large-scale process that saw hundreds of thousands of Nigerians apply for the programme. “The implementation of the 2026 phase of the SUPA programme will commence in the coming weeks, following the screening of participants conducted in December 2025,” he said.
He further explained that while interest in the programme has been overwhelming, capacity remains a challenge. “Although not all applicants can be onboarded simultaneously due to the limited number of centres equipped to SUPA standards, we remain committed to training as many Nigerians as possible under the programme,” Ogun added, noting that the initiative aligns with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
As part of preparations for the new phase, top-performing trainees from earlier batches recently participated in mock examinations held in 34 City and Guilds-approved centres and ITF area offices nationwide. These candidates were selected based on strong performance in both theoretical and practical aspects of their training.
The examinations covered key vocational areas such as Welding and Fabrication, Plumbing and Pipefitting, Electrical Installation, Auto Mechanic, Carpentry, Cyber Security, and Housekeeping, among others.
Ogun also highlighted the importance of global standards in the programme, stating that the partnership with City and Guilds reflects ITF’s commitment to quality. “The examinations demonstrate the Fund’s commitment to equipping SUPA graduands with internationally recognised certifications,” he said.
He encouraged more Nigerian youths to take advantage of the programme, stressing that it offers skills that can compete both locally and internationally.
