The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has secured approval from the City & Guilds of London (UK) to serve as an official examination centre a move expected to boost the international certification of Nigerian artisans.
With the approval, ITF joins six other centres across the country authorised to conduct City & Guilds examinations. The certification, signed by the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer, Kirstie Donnelly, covers multiple programmes including Level 2 Diplomas in Engineering (Electrical and Electronics Technology and Maintenance Technology), Housekeeping Services, Food Preparation and Culinary Arts, Basic Electronic Engineering, and Basic Plumbing.
Other approved courses include Level 2 and 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 endorsement follows a series of facility inspections by City & Guilds officials starting in December 2023, shortly after the current ITF management took office. It culminated in a Train-the-Trainer workshop for 22 ITF officers, who will now oversee both training and examinations in the accredited disciplines.
Director-General of the ITF, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, described the development as a major milestone. He said it would enable Nigerian artisans to acquire internationally recognised qualifications, opening global job opportunities and contributing to the fight against poverty and unemployment.
“This is particularly crucial for the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) programme, implemented by the ITF for the Federal Government, to train, retrain, certify, and license Nigerian artisans to international standards,” Ogun said.
He added that ITF is also engaging other global certification bodies such as Alberk QA to widen its certification base. According to him, the ultimate goal is for Nigeria to become a significant exporter of skilled labour, similar to countries like India, China, and Indonesia — a move that could boost foreign exchange earnings.
“Already, the ITF is in talks with embassies and foreign missions to identify their artisanal needs and integrate them into the SUPA training framework,” he noted.
