ITF certified as exam centre for int’l certification for Nigerian artisans

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has recorded a significant milestone in its efforts to train and certify Nigerian artisans to international standards, as the City and Guilds of London (UK) has officially approved the ITF as a certified examination centre.

According to a statement by Thomas Ngor, Head of Press and Public Relations, the development places the ITF among only six centres in Nigeria with such approval.

The approval, signed by the Chief Executive Officer of City and Guilds, Kirstie Donnelly, authorises the ITF to conduct examinations for the Level 2 Diploma in Engineering (Electrical and Electronics Technology and Maintenance Technology), Level 2 Diploma in Housekeeping Services, Level 2 Diploma in Food Preparation and Culinary Art, Foundation Certificate in Basic Electronic Engineering, and Foundation Certificate in Basic Plumbing.

Other approved programmes include Level 2 in ICT Systems and Principles, Level 3 in ICT Systems and Principles, Level 2 Diploma in Bricklaying, Level 2 IVQ in IT Systems Support, and Level 3 IVQ Advanced Diploma in IT Systems Support.

The statement explained that the approval followed multiple visits by the examination body to ITF training facilities across the country, beginning in December 2023, shortly after the inauguration of the current management. These visits culminated in a Train-the-Trainer workshop for 22 ITF officers who will be responsible for training artisans in the approved fields and supervising the examinations.

The Director-General of the ITF, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, described the approval as a major achievement. He said it will enable Nigerian artisans to gain internationally recognised qualifications and potentially access global employment opportunities. According to him, this will have a positive impact on poverty and unemployment in Nigeria. He added that the approval aligns with the ITF’s mission to set and evaluate training standards and to provide need-based human capital development in line with global best practices.

Dr. Ogun noted that the approval is particularly critical to the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) programme—an initiative of the Federal Government being implemented by the ITF to train, retrain, certify, and license Nigerian artisans to international standards. He said SUPA aims to enhance the employability of artisans locally and globally by providing access to internationally recognised certification, thereby promoting self-reliance.

He also disclosed that, apart from City and Guilds, the ITF is in discussions with other international certification bodies such as Alberk QA for similar approvals.

ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE: VIDEO: Iya Osun, other devotees in festive mood, await Arugba’s procession

Dr. Ogun expressed optimism that if these efforts succeed, Nigeria could become a major exporter of skilled manpower, like India, China, and Indonesia, thereby earning foreign exchange for the country.

He added that the ITF is already in communication with embassies and foreign missions to understand their artisanal workforce needs and incorporate them into training under the Skill-Up Artisans Programme.