ITF Moves to License Nigerian Artisans Nationwide

The Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), has called for the establishment of a unified national framework to train, certify, and license Nigerian artisans, in a move aimed at curbing quackery and boosting the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s skilled workforce.

Speaking in Abuja at the Nigerian Artisans’ Leadership Summit (NALSUM), themed “Towards a Successful NATEF 2025,” the ITF boss said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s broader vision to upskill Nigerian artisans to international standards through structured training and certification.

He noted that although many Nigerian artisans possess the potential to meet global benchmarks, the sector has been undermined by untrained individuals posing as professionals. “Licensing every artisan in Nigeria will eliminate quackery. Too many quacks have infiltrated the space, making it hard to distinguish between skilled and unskilled hands,” he said.

He also criticized past training interventions that failed to yield lasting impact, saying many beneficiaries were left unsupported after training. “They were trained, but returned home idle or became commercial riders. This administration is determined to change that by connecting artisans with real opportunities,” he added.

To achieve this, ITF is partnering with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association to ensure that local industries begin to prioritize Nigerian artisans over foreign labour. He lamented the current trend of companies outsourcing talent from China and the Philippines, stating that Nigeria has the human capacity if properly trained.

The National Coordinator of the Association of Nigerian Artisans and Technicians (ASNAT), which organized the summit, explained that the event aimed to build leadership skills among artisan group heads ahead of the Nigerian Artisan Talent and Exhibition Fair (NATEF) scheduled for September. He stressed that artisan leaders would be trained in data management, organizational leadership, and administrative practices to enhance their effectiveness at the grassroots.

Former Zamfara State House of Assembly Speaker and National Patron of ASNAT, Sanusi Rikiji, highlighted the economic importance of artisans, describing them as key players in Nigeria’s microeconomic ecosystem. He noted that ASNAT comprises over 30 registered trade associations across the country and represents a major employment source for Nigerian youth.

Rikiji also applauded the ITF’s effort in building a national artisan database, which has already registered over 1,000 artisans. He revealed that the goal is to capture about eight million artisans, a move he said will open access to interventions from institutions such as the World Bank, the Bank of Industry (BOI), and other development agencies.

Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr Moshood Lawal, Head of Corporate Affairs, emphasized the complementary roles of ITF, BOI, and SMEDAN in artisan empowerment. He said while ITF focuses on technical training, BOI handles funding, and SMEDAN provides entrepreneurship education.

He stressed that technical training alone is not enough, adding that artisans need access to affordable finance and business management skills to truly grow. “We are working towards giving artisans access to funding at single-digit interest rates, unlike the high rates from commercial banks,” he said.

The summit reinforced the need for a coordinated approach to empower Nigerian artisans, with clear pathways to training, certification, funding,and business growth.