Artisans across the North-West region are being offered a golden opportunity to take their skills to the next level.
The Federal Government is making a strong push to ensure that grassroots craftsmen and women can upgrade their expertise to meet both national and international standards.
SUPA Rally Kicks Off in Kano
The Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) Zonal Rally recently held in Kano highlighted the government’s commitment to this vision.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr. Afiz Ogun, reassured participants that the programme is designed to transform the skills of artisans into sustainable livelihoods.
Represented by the immediate past Zonal Director of ITF, Muhammad Aminu, Dr. Ogun emphasized that SUPA aims to turn skilled workers into employers of labor, rather than just job seekers.
Restoring Dignity to Skilled Work
According to Dr. Ogun, the initiative seeks to restore dignity to skilled professions while equipping artisans with competencies essential for building a strong and productive economy.
This effort aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places emphasis on economic empowerment at all levels.
“We are calling on artisans in the North-West region to embrace the SUPA programme to upgrade their skills, boost productivity, increase income, and position themselves to compete locally, nationally, and globally,” Ogun urged.
Community Support is Key
He also highlighted the role of traditional rulers, community leaders, youth leaders, women leaders, and trade associations in spreading awareness of the programme.
Their collaboration is crucial to ensure that more artisans can access and benefit from the initiative.
“The goal of this rally is simple,” Ogun explained.
“We want to reach artisans, technicians, tradesmen and women, young people with talents, and hardworking citizens who are the backbone of our economy.
We want them to seize the opportunities the ITF provides.”
SUPA’s Impact So Far
Mrs. Nancy Ekong, Director of the Technical Vocational Skills Training Department, shared that the first SUPA programme in 2025 successfully trained and upgraded no fewer than 30,000 artisans.
This demonstrates the programme’s potential to uplift skilled workers and strengthen the economy.
A Wide Range of Trades Benefiting
The rally attracted artisans from a variety of trades, including electrical installation, plumbing, welding and fabrication, carpentry, furniture making, automobile repairs, fashion design, construction, ICT, and many other vocational and technical fields.
These diverse skills show how the SUPA programme is touching multiple sectors, preparing artisans to thrive in a competitive market.
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