ITF to Launch Business Incubation Programme for SUPA Artisans
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) is set to launch a Business Incubation Programme for artisans under its Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) initiative, aimed at helping graduates establish and grow sustainable businesses across Nigeria. The programme is part of the Federal Government’s broader drive to promote skills development, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic growth.
It is designed to bridge the gap between skills acquisition and enterprise development by equipping artisans with tools, training, mentorship, business support services, and market access needed to build viable businesses. In a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Thomas Ngor, the ITF said beneficiaries will undergo comprehensive entrepreneurship and business management training, including the internationally recognised Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) programme. Participants will also receive support in certification and licensing to enhance professionalism and competitiveness.
The statement added that selected beneficiaries will be provided with tools, equipment, and start-up support packages under clearly defined participation and repayment arrangements. “This approach is intended to promote ownership, accountability, and sustainability while enabling beneficiaries to establish viable enterprises capable of creating employment opportunities for others,” it said.
Speaking on the initiative, the Director-General of the ITF, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, described the programme as a strategic intervention to transform skilled artisans into successful entrepreneurs and employers of labour. According to him, the initiative goes beyond skills acquisition by providing a structured pathway for artisans to transition into entrepreneurship and contribute to national economic development.
“The ITF Business Incubation Programme for SUPA Artisans is designed to ensure that skills acquired through the SUPA Programme translate into sustainable livelihoods, thriving enterprises, and increased economic opportunities for Nigerian youths,” 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.”
Dignitaries expected at the launch include Vice President Kashim Shettima; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Special Adviser to the President on MSMEs, Mr. Tola Johnson; Director-General of SMEDAN, Charles Odili; Senator John Owan Enoh; as well as development partners, financial institutions, artisan associations, and other stakeholders in the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The statement said the event will present the programme framework, implementation strategy, expected impact, and support mechanisms available to beneficiaries, while also showcasing selected participants and highlighting the ITF’s commitment to sustainable enterprise development. It added that the programme will incorporate a monitoring, supervision, and evaluation framework to ensure accountability and long-term success.
Beneficiary businesses will be tracked regularly, with periodic impact assessments conducted over five years to measure business growth, job creation, youth empowerment, enterprise sustainability, and contributions to national economic development. Expected outcomes include the creation of sustainable artisan-owned businesses, increased employment opportunities, accelerated MSME growth, enhanced youth inclusion, improved business survival rates among SUPA beneficiaries, and stronger contributions to Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda.
