The Industrial Training Fund (ITF), collaborating with the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN), has launched a nationwide implementation of the SUPA Project Management Examination. This certification initiative aims to enhance project execution capabilities among artisans, craftsmen, and various organizations.
Initiated yesterday at multiple centers across Nigeria, this examination forms a crucial part of the second phase of ITF’s flagship Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) initiative.
During a visit to the examination venues in Abuja, ITF’s director-general, Dr. Afiz Ogun, revealed that approximately 100,000 trainees are registered nationwide. Due to the limited availability of internationally accredited training facilities, assessments are being conducted in groups of 30,000 candidates at a time.
Dr. Ogun explained that the SUPA programme is structured to train, certify, and license Nigerian artisans with credentials recognized globally. The framework consists of three levels: the foundational stage focusing on essential skills; SUPA I, which emphasizes soft skills and culminates in the current CIPMN certification exams; and SUPA II, dedicated to advanced technical training.
The ongoing examination phase assesses three key soft-skill areas: project management, industrial safety, and patriotism. In collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), ITF has developed a module on patriotism and professional ethics to complement the technical training components.
Successful participants will earn certifications that not only validate their competencies for employment and international opportunities but also grant them access to ITF’s job placement platform.
To bridge the gap in training infrastructure, Dr. Ogun encouraged private sector investors to establish additional skills acquisition centers. He assured that ITF would supply trainees and cover the costs of training and instructor remuneration.
One of the significant impacts of the SUPA certification is the organized export of Nigerian skills through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment’s (FMITI) National Talent Export Programme.
For trainees under 35 years old, upon obtaining their licenses and international certifications, ITF will facilitate their integration into the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), overseen by FMITI.
Furthermore, ITF plans to collaborate closely with the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA). This partnership will engage with international chambers of commerce to identify skill demands abroad, enabling ITF to tailor training programs that prepare Nigerian artisans for specific global markets.
Dr. Ogun highlighted that this initiative is poised to create sustainable employment opportunities overseas, boost foreign exchange earnings, and establish Nigeria as a leading supplier of skilled labor across Africa, the Middle East, and other regions.
Henry Mbadiwe, registrar general of CIPMN, described the SUPA examination as transformative, validating artisans’ skills, integrating them into formal project management practices, and opening doors for advancement both domestically and internationally.
He emphasized that the ITF-CIPMN collaboration represents a strategic effort to elevate project management standards in Nigeria, incorporating artisans and grassroots organizations into the nation’s broader development framework.
