The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has intensified preparations for the nationwide rollout of the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) programme in 2026 with a strategic visit to the Naval Dockyard Apprentice Skills Training Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.
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The visit formed part of the ongoing SUPA Skills Training Centre identification and scouting exercise designed to assess facilities, strengthen institutional partnerships, and ensure selected centres meet the standards required for effective skills development training across Nigeria.
During the engagement, officials of the ITF and representatives of the Naval Dockyard Apprentice Skills Training Centre discussed operational readiness, training standards, and strategies for seamless implementation of the programme.
The discussions also focused on improving best practices in technical and vocational training to ensure artisans and young Nigerians enrolled under the programme receive industry-relevant skills that align with current labour market demands.
According to the ITF, the exercise is part of broader efforts to position the SUPA programme as a major platform for boosting employability, increasing productivity, and supporting economic growth through practical skills acquisition.
“The goal is to ensure that training centres selected for the programme can deliver quality and standardized training that meets national expectations,” the Fund stated during the visit.
The SUPA initiative is one of the Federal Government-backed programmes aimed at equipping Nigerian youths and artisans with practical vocational and technical skills that can improve self-reliance and create more employment opportunities.
Industry stakeholders have continued to describe technical skills development as critical to addressing unemployment and strengthening Nigeria’s workforce capacity, especially in sectors that depend heavily on skilled artisans and vocational expertise.
With preparations already underway across different states, the ITF is expected to continue its nationwide assessment and partnership engagements ahead of the full implementation of SUPA 2026.
