ITF Holds Examination for SUPA Programme Beneficiaries, Urges Commitment to Patriotism

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has conducted project management examinations for 100,000 beneficiaries of the second phase of its Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA).

The exercise, according to the ITF, is aimed at ensuring beneficiaries attain professional certification in line with international standards, thereby reducing reliance on imported skilled labour while boosting Nigeria’s capacity to export manpower for economic growth.

While monitoring the examinations at various training centres in Abuja, ITF Director-General, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin-Ogun, explained that the tests covered 30 trade areas. He added that participants had also received training in industrial safety to enhance productivity.

Dr. Oluwatoyin-Ogun further stated that modalities had been put in place to ensure SUPA graduates become employers of labour within and outside Nigeria through recognized professional certification.

He revealed that in partnership with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the ITF had developed a curriculum that incorporates patriotism and professional ethics to enable beneficiaries contribute meaningfully to national development.

Advising the trainees to remain focused and committed, Dr. Oluwatoyin-Ogun expressed optimism that the SUPA Programme would support President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by curbing the importation of skilled labour while tackling unemployment and poverty.

In his remarks, the Registrar-General of the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN), Chief Henry Nbaduwe, reaffirmed the Institute’s support for the ITF in actualizing the objectives of the SUPA Programme. He urged participants to remain dedicated to the programme’s goals for national economic advancement.

Some of the beneficiaries commended ITF for adopting local languages during the examinations and expressed gratitude for the opportunity, noting that the programme would greatly enhance their self-reliance.