SUPA trainees nationwide sit for City & Guilds mock exams ahead of global certification

Thousands of trainees under the Industrial Training Fund (ITF)’s Skill Up Artisans (SUPA) Programme on Tuesday participated in nationwide mock examinations as part of preparations for internationally recognised certification by City and Guilds International.

The mock examinations, conducted across 34 accredited centres and ITF Area Offices, mark a significant milestone in the agency’s drive to equip Nigerian artisans with globally competitive skills.

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Speaking on the exercise, the ITF Director of Standardisation and Certification Department, Mrs. Olayinka Shodunke, disclosed that only top-performing trainees selected based on their outstanding theoretical and practical performance were eligible to participate.

She explained that the examinations covered nine key trades central to Nigeria’s technical workforce development: Welding and Fabrication, Plumbing and Pipefitting, Scaffolding, Waiter Services, Electrical Installation, Auto Mechanics, Carpentry, Cyber Security, and Housekeeping.

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According to Shodunke, the outcome of the mock examinations will inform the scheduling of the final certification tests by City and Guilds International, which remains a globally respected awarding body in vocational education.

Also a press statement signed and issued on Tuesday in Jos by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Acting Director, Press and Public Relations, Mr. Thomas Ngor, stated that during inspection visits to selected centres, ITF Director-General, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, commended the partnership with City and Guilds, describing it as pivotal to raising the standard of Nigerian artisanship.

He noted that the mock examinations underscore ITF’s commitment to ensuring that SUPA graduates obtain certifications that are recognised beyond Nigeria’s borders.

“The essence of this initiative is to position Nigerian artisans to compete favourably with their counterparts anywhere in the world,” he said.

Dr. Ogun also announced that the next phase of the SUPA programme for 2026 will commence in the coming weeks, saying “This follows a nationwide screening exercise conducted in December 2025, which attracted hundreds of thousands of applicants”.

While acknowledging capacity constraints, he reiterated ITF’s resolve to scale up training opportunities in line with national priorities.

The programme, he said, aligns with the skills development agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at reducing unemployment and strengthening the country’s human capital base.

Towards Multiple International Certifications
Beyond its collaboration with City and Guilds, the ITF is exploring additional international certification partnerships.

The Director-General revealed that advanced discussions are ongoing with Alberk QA Technic and other global bodies.

“These efforts are designed to ensure that SUPA graduates leave the programme with diverse certifications, enhancing their employability across multiple industries and jurisdictions.

The ITF leadership urged Nigerian youths yet to enroll in the SUPA programme to take advantage of the initiative, emphasizing its potential to provide sustainable livelihoods and open doors to global opportunities.

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