President Bola Tinubu has approved a ₦3.6 billion funding package for a nationwide skills development programme aimed at training and supporting 200,000 Nigerian artisans, with tailors as the first group to benefit.
The programme, to be implemented by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) under its Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) initiative, is designed to improve technical skills, promote entrepreneurship and create more employment opportunities in Nigeria’s informal sector.
The Director-General of the ITF, Dr. Afiz Ogun, announced the approval on Wednesday during the screening of applicants in Abuja. He said the nationwide exercise marks the first phase of the 2026 programme and is intended to ensure that only qualified artisans benefit.
“For this year, we are incubating businesses for tailors because they constitute a large number of participants. The President has approved ₦3.6 billion for this initiative,” Dr. Ogun said.
According to him, applicants will undergo document verification and practical skills assessments before they are selected.
He explained that the government introduced the programme after identifying a growing number of skilled workers from neighbouring African countries, as well as Bangladesh, Pakistan and China, who have been taking advantage of opportunities in Nigeria’s informal economy.
“We are screening them because some people will say they are artisans, but they are not artisans. Some people just want to come and collect the Federal Government money and go. They will not participate in the training,” he said.
“We want real artisans who are ready to scale up and improve their skills.”
Dr. Ogun said the initiative goes beyond skills training, adding that the government plans to establish a national system for certifying and licensing artisans. The system will allow customers to verify the credentials of plumbers, electricians, tailors and other skilled workers before hiring them.
“The President wants Nigerian artisans to be trained, certified and licensed. When you engage a plumber or an electrician, you should be able to verify the person’s credentials, track performance and hold them accountable. This will improve service quality and create confidence in the sector,” he said.
The ITF also announced a change to how beneficiaries will be supported. Instead of distributing starter packs immediately after training, participants will now receive structured business incubation, mentorship and job placement opportunities after officials found that some beneficiaries previously sold the equipment they received.
Under the tailoring programme, successful participants will receive industrial sewing machines, overlock machines, specialised stitching equipment, electric cutters, consumables, business signboards and entrepreneurship support.
The government also plans to launch a digital marketplace where certified artisans can showcase their services, receive customer ratings and connect directly with clients.
Officials say the programme is expected to improve the quality of technical services, increase artisans’ incomes and contribute to reducing unemployment across the country.
