By Golok Nanmwa, Jos
The Industrial Training Fund on Tuesday announced plans to train and upgrade at least 100,000 Nigerian artisans in 2025 through the “Skill Up Artisan Super” programme, a flagship initiative under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking after a our of training centers in Jos the Director-General of Industrial Training Fund ITF Dr Afiz Oluewatoyin Ogun said the goal is to eradicate quackery, restore dignity to skilled trades, and raise artisans to global standards across fields like plumbing, Mason tailoring, bricklaying, auto mechanics, and electrical works and several other trades.
Dr Ogun stressed that upskilling will restore pride and increase income opportunities, helping artisans transition from “quackery” to professionalism .
He lamented that most Nigerian artisans often lose out to foreign counterparts due to skill gaps.
Dr Afiz added the the initiative makes local craftsmen competitive globally, encourages dignity of labour and supports the informal economy, which employs millions
He also announced the Introducing of the ITF Model School’s Dual Education System programme for students schooling in the Fund which would be starting at the end of September .
According to him, ” In this system, normal classroom activities for students of ITF schools will end at 1:00 or 1:30 p.m., after which students will go home. Later, our buses will pick them up and take them to a separate facility known as the ITF Model School Skills Academy.
At the academy, students will be trained in various vocational fields including tailoring and fashion design, embroidery, welding (both manual and laser), culinary skills, and ICT. So, we’re starting with at least five or six trade areas.
During the weekdays, students will spend two hours at the academy. On weekends and holidays, they will spend three hours.
“This program will run for two years, after which they will sit for internationally recognized certification exams. “
” Despite their age, they will receive certifications that qualify them to work anywhere in the world.”
The Director General Dr Afiz Ogun added that the program is structured in such a way that it also carries their parents along.
” For students who show determination and resilience, businesses will be incubated for them before they even gain university admission.” Our goal is for them to become self-reliant and capable of sponsoring themselves through higher education.”
” Both students and interested parents will also receive entrepreneurship training. We will continue to monitor and support their progress throughout the program.’, he added.
” We are fully preparing for the September resumption of this system to show that skill acquisition is just as important as formal education, these are part of our 21st-century embroidery training setup.
It is wrong to assume that children are too young to acquire skills. This is not child abuse or child labor. If you visit countries like China, you’ll see that children begin learning vocational skills at a young age. And again, we are carrying parents along.
Participation in this program is not compulsory. Parents who do not want their children involved will be respected. However, we are launching this dual system whereby, alongside WAEC and NECO, students will earn international certifications from bodies such as City and Guilds.
We will begin this year with JSS1 and SS1 students. Each level will run for two years. During terminal exam periods like JSS3 and SS3, students may be excused from vocational activities, except for those who wish to continue light classes.
We are adopting a familiar model. Like in the past, we will organize a career day in the first week of resumption. We will invite industry leaders, university lecturers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from various sectors to speak to the students about both formal and informal education. Afterward, students will select their preferred skill areas based on informed choices.
No student will be forced into a particular skill. There will also be an opportunity for them to switch if they feel they made the wrong choice initially. Peer influence is real at this age, so we’ve created what we call a “transfer window” to allow them to move to a different skill area if needed.
Another important point: this is just the beginning. We plan to replicate this model in all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria and eventually expand it to the state level. The ITF Industrial Training Fund Model School is a holistic approach—preparing students both for academic success and practical life skills, he added.
The Director General added that “We are beginning with our own ITF Staff School students,specifically JSS1 and SS1. We’ve gathered their numbers through the school principal, Some teachers have already begun training, and others will soon begin. We also have certified ITF trainers across the country. These professionals will be brought to Jos, given short refresher training and an examination. Only the best will be selected to train the students.
Importantly, our students will not pay a single penny. This is a free program funded by the government. Many great initiatives like this are going on, but people don’t always know, he added.