ITF to send Nigerian artisans abroad under talent development programme

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in partnership with Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), have announced plans to facilitate the export of young, skilled Nigerian artisans aged 35 years and below to international markets as part of its talent development programme.

Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, director deneral of the ITF, made the disclosure during a visit to trainees sitting examinations at the Larne Shittu Motors training centre in Abuja. He explained that participants who successfully complete their training will be licensed, with certification recognised by the federal government.

Ogun said the initiative is being developed in partnership with NACCIMA which maintains international links through trade fairs and commercial networks. These connections, he noted, would help identify countries seeking specific categories of skilled workers.

“We are also training trainers in leather works, fabrics and finishing. Nigerians are known for good craftsmanship but often struggle with finishing, which fails to meet international standards. This is where we step in,” Ogun said. He added that ITF is also working with the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN), which is conducting project management examinations for trainees.

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He stressed that examinations are a key element of the programme, “It is one thing to train people, but another to assess their work and see how far they have gone. The idea behind this examination is to raise them to international standards. Without exams, training remains incomplete.”

According to him, over 100,000 young people have expressed interest in the scheme, but capacity constraints mean the training is being rolled out in phases. Currently, 30,000 participants have completed examinations in areas including industrial safety, project management and patriotism. Those who fall short of international standards, he added, are undergoing further training under the ‘Skill-Up’ programme.

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Ogun urged Nigerians to invest in skills acquisition centres rather than traditional schools, pointing out that government support is available. “For any skills acquisition centre established, the government will fund the training of students. We already have about 30 trade areas and plan to expand further,” he said.

Henry Mbadiwe, registrar general and chief executive of CIPMN, described the training in project management as vital, helping trainees refocus and prepare for careers in business.

The ITF maintains that the programme will not only raise artisans to globally competitive standards but also open pathways for Nigerian talent to participate in international labour markets.