The Federal Government has discontinued the distribution of starter packs under its Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) initiative, citing widespread abuse and a renewed focus on advanced training and international certification for artisans.
This decision was made public in Abuja by the National Coordinator of the Association of Nigerian Artisans and Technicians during a press briefing evaluating the SUPA programme, which is being implemented by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
SUPA is a three-phase national programme developed to address Nigeria’s widening skills gap in sectors like construction, ICT, automotive, and electrical works. The initiative targets both aspiring and practising artisans, offering them trade-specific training, soft skills, and internationally recognised certifications.
While the pilot phase ended earlier this year with 29,000 graduates, the second phase aims to train 100,000 more artisans as part of the government’s larger goal to reach five million skilled workers by 2027.
Starter packs, which were initially introduced to help newly trained interns with essential tools and equipment, have now been scrapped. The coordinator revealed that many recipients sold off the packs shortly after receiving them, reducing the intervention to a mere giveaway rather than a tool for empowerment.
“The starter pack was meant for those who had no prior skills but wanted to become artisans. Unfortunately, people began enrolling just to access the free items and then disappear. That defeats the entire purpose,” he explained.
Despite the withdrawal, programme interest remains high among committed artisans. According to the coordinator, real artisans are more concerned with capacity building and global competitiveness than material handouts.
“What we need is upskilling. We want to be able to compete with professionals in China, India, and Europe. If given the right training and global certifications, we can also export our services instead of waiting for foreigners to take over our jobs,” he said.
He noted that the decision has not affected programme turnout, adding that serious-minded artisans have remained committed.
“Has it reduced participation? No. The serious ones stayed. This government promised us an upgrade, and that’s what we are seeing,” he said.
The coordinator also praised the ITF for its effective implementation of the SUPA initiative, calling it a visible success and urging sustained support from government stakeholders.
“The ITF has done a fantastic job. Look around, and you’ll see the change. This programme is working,” he said.
He confirmed that the next round of training, scheduled for next month, will focus exclusively on practising artisans, with the aim of deepening their technical capacity and enhancing their chances of working globally.
The Association concluded the briefing with a vote of confidence in both the SUPA initiative and the Industrial Training Fund, calling the programme a major step towards building a skilled and export-ready Nigerian workforce.
