The Federal Government has commenced the process of selecting a new batch of artisans for advanced technical training under its Skill-Up Artisans Programme, with the Industrial Training Fund announcing a nationwide screening exercise aimed at producing globally competitive craftsmen and technicians.
This is as the government intensifies efforts to build a globally competitive workforce and reduce dependence on foreign artisans in critical sectors of the economy.
The screening exercise, which will be conducted across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, aims to verify the eligibility, competence and practical experience of shortlisted candidates before their admission into the next phase of the training programme.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the ITF, Thomas Ngor. According to the Fund, the exercise will be conducted in two phases to ensure smooth participation across the country.
Artisans from the North-Central, North-West and North-East geopolitical zones will be screened between July 14 and July 17, 2026, while those from the South-East, South-West and South-South zones will undergo screening from July 21 to July 24, 2026.
To ensure accessibility and broad participation, the exercise will take place simultaneously across the three senatorial districts in each state and the Federal Capital Territory.