100,000 Nigerian Artisans to Sit for Certification Exams

By Oluwakemi Kindness

About 100,000 trainees under the Industrial Training Fund’s (ITF) Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) programme will sit for nationwide examinations on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.

The exams, organised by the Chartered Institute of Project Management of Nigeria (CIPMN), will assess candidates’ skills in project management, occupational health and safety, and professional ethics.

These modules aim to elevate Nigerian artisans to global standards.

Recognised Credentials.

Ahead of the exams, ITF Director-General Dr. Afiz  Ogun emphasised the Fund’s commitment to training, certifying, and licensing artisans with internationally recognised credentials.

“Our goal is to build an indigenous workforce capable of competing with global peers,” Ogun said.

He revealed that City and Guilds London has approved ITF as one of its select exam centres in Nigeria, allowing artisans to earn prestigious UK certifications.

Discussions are also ongoing with ALBERK QA TECHNIC of Turkey and other international bodies to further expand certification opportunities for Nigerian artisans.

Reduce Unemployment

Dr. Ogun highlighted that SUPA certifications will help reduce unemployment in Nigeria while opening doors for artisans to work abroad.

By exporting skilled labor, the country can leverage its youthful population of over 70 million to generate foreign exchange and strengthen the economy.

Three-Tier Training Structure

The SUPA certification process, Ogun explained, runs in three phases: a foundation stage for basic skills, SUPA I for soft skills (culminating in the upcoming CIPMN exams), and SUPA II for advanced technical training.

Successful candidates receive globally recognized certificates that qualify them for direct employment, international placements, or self-employment.

Ogun commended CIPMN for its role in implementing the programme, noting that the institute “has been a steadfast partner since inception” and expressing confidence that the exams would meet international standards.