Keypoints
- The Industrial Training Fund has launched a business incubation programme for artisans under its Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) initiative.
- The programme aims to strengthen entrepreneurship and business management skills among artisans.
- Beneficiaries will receive training, mentorship, certification support and access to markets.
- The initiative is designed to bridge the gap between skills acquisition and enterprise development.
- ITF says the programme will support job creation and MSME growth across Nigeria.
Main Story
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has commenced a business incubation programme for artisans under its Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) initiative, aimed at strengthening entrepreneurial capacity and improving business management skills across Nigeria.
The Director-General of the ITF, Dr Afiz Ogun, disclosed this in a statement signed by the Fund’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Mr Thomas Ngor, and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Jos. Ogun said the programme is designed to support graduates of the SUPA initiative in building and sustaining viable businesses across different sectors of the economy. According to him, the intervention represents a key step by the Federal Government in promoting skills development, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth.
He explained that the programme is intended to bridge the gap between skills acquisition and enterprise development by equipping artisans with training, mentorship, business support services and market access needed to establish sustainable enterprises. Participants will undergo comprehensive entrepreneurship and business management training, including the internationally recognised Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) programme.
Ogun added that beneficiaries will also receive support in certification and licensing processes to improve their professional credibility and competitiveness. He said the approach is designed to promote ownership, accountability and sustainability while enabling artisans to build businesses capable of creating employment opportunities for others. According to him, the programme aims to transform skilled artisans into successful entrepreneurs and employers of labour.
He noted that the expected outcomes include the creation of sustainable artisan-owned businesses, increased job opportunities and stronger growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria. Ogun added that the initiative would also enhance youth economic inclusion, improve business survival rates among beneficiaries and support Nigeria’s broader industrial development goals.
The Issues
- Weak transition from skills acquisition to sustainable business ownership.
- Limited entrepreneurial capacity among trained artisans.
- Need for improved access to mentorship, finance and market opportunities.
- Challenges affecting MSME survival rates in Nigeria.
What’s Being Said
- Dr Afiz Ogun said the programme is “a strategic intervention aimed at transforming skilled artisans into successful business owners and employers of labour.”
- He said: “Our goal is to nurture a new generation of artisans who will drive MSME growth, create jobs, and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s industrial development.”
What’s Next
- Selected artisans will begin entrepreneurship and business management training under the programme.
- Participants will receive certification and business support services.
- ITF is expected to monitor outcomes to assess impact on MSME growth and job creation.
Bottom Line
The ITF’s SUPA incubation programme is designed to turn skilled artisans into business owners by providing training, mentorship and market access, with the goal of strengthening MSME growth and job creation in Nigeria.
 has commenced a business incubation programme for artisans under its Skill-Up Artisans ...){kind=link}