What Industrial Training Fund does

Industrial Training Fund (ITF) is a Nigerian government statutory body established by Decree No. 47 of 1971 and headquartered in Jos, Plateau State, with a workforce of 501–1,000 employees. It is mandated to deliver capacity building for industries and commerce through manpower training and is fully owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria. ITF operates nationwide across all 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory through area offices, skill training centres, the ITF Model School, and the Modular Skills Training Centre (MSTC) in Abuja, and it runs the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).

The Fund's portfolio centres on the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) Programme, which has enrolled 100,000–120,000+ trainees and pairs technical training with international certification delivered under partnership with Alberk QA Technic of Türkiye. Complementary programmes include the 100,000 Artisans Construction Skills Programme (joint with the Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria), the Business Incubation Programme (unveiled in June 2026 with a five-year monitoring window), the ITF Model School, and a Dual Learning Programme introduced in 2025. Supporting services comprise curriculum design, direct training delivery, research and development, the MISTDO industrial skills certification regime, and a grants and reimbursement scheme for levy-contributing organizations.

ITF's revenue model blends federal government budget allocations with statutory levy contributions from registered Nigerian organizations (organizations must train at least 15% of their workforce annually to qualify for full reimbursement), alongside programme-specific capital deployments such as the N3.6 billion business incubation investment. Pricing is not commercially disclosed and core training services are delivered at no direct fee to beneficiaries, positioning ITF as a non-commercial public-sector skills development platform rather than a revenue-generating enterprise.

Name

Industrial Training Fund

Legal name

Industrial Training Fund

Website

https://itf.gov.ng

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Industrial Training Fund is a Nigerian government statutory body that delivers nationwide vocational training, artisan certification, and business incubation through the SUPA programme and area offices across all 36 states plus FCT, serving unemployed youths, artisans, and levy-paying employers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Training and Workforce Development

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

TVET/Skills & Workforce Education Authorities (EDADAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education & Training Providers (EDABALAI), Workforce, Employability & Youth Skills Partnerships (EDADALAI), Government & Public Sector (EDABALAM)

Keywords

• Vocational skills training
• Workforce development programmes
• Artisan certification services
• Technical education training
• Manpower capacity building

Headquarters

HQ city

Jos

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Levy Contributions from Organizations: ITF operates a Grants and Reimbursement scheme where organizations that train their workforce with evidence (course fee receipts, certificates of attendance, levy receipts) are entitled to reimbursement grants. Organizations must train not less than 15% of their total workforce annually to qualify for full reimbursement.
2. Government Funding: As a Federal Government of Nigeria parastatal, ITF receives government funding allocations to implement national skills development programmes targeting economic growth and workforce development goals, including support for Nigeria's $1 trillion economy target.
3. Business Incubation Investment: ITF announced a N3.6 billion investment in business incubation and capacity training for Nigerian artisans, representing significant capital deployment into the skills development ecosystem with expected returns through enterprise development and job creation.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

The Industrial Training Fund is a Nigerian government statutory body that delivers Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes, including the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) Programme, business incubation, international certification, dual learning, and employer levy-based grants and reimbursements for workforce training. It administers mandatory training levies on Nigerian organisations and offers free skills training, curriculum design, and research services to unemployed youth and artisans across all 36 states and the FCT.

Product overview

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) is a Nigerian government agency offering a comprehensive suite of workforce development and vocational training services. The core offering is the Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA), which provides contemporary technical skills training, international certification, and business incubation support for Nigerian artisans. Complementing SUPA are specialized programmes including the 100,000 Artisans Construction Skills Programme (partnered with CTIN), the Business Incubation Programme, ITF Model School, and the Dual Learning Programme. Supporting services include Research and Development, Curriculum Design and Development, Direct Training through nationwide centers, Grants and Reimbursement Scheme for levy-contributing organizations, and MISTDO certification services. The portfolio is designed to address Nigeria's skills gap and support industrial development through industry-ready workforce development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SUPA (Skill-Up Artisans Programme): Skills development and international certification programme for Nigerian artisans
• MISTDO
• ITF Model School
• SIWES

Products and services

• Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA) Flagship artisan training programme of the Industrial Training Fund providing contemporary technical skills training, structured apprenticeship, and international certification pathway for Nigerian artisans across construction and other trades. Targets unemployed and underemployed youth and aims to make Nigerian artisans globally competitive.
• Business Incubation Programme Entrepreneurship support initiative providing training, tools, equipment, mentorship, and business support services to SUPA beneficiaries under structured repayment arrangements to drive MSME growth, youth economic inclusion, and job creation, with five-year monitoring.
• International Certification Examination (SUPA Global Certification) Global certification initiative under SUPA that enables Nigerian artisans to obtain internationally recognised qualifications, improving their access to both domestic and international job markets and project work.
• 100,000 Artisans Construction Skills Programme (ITF-CTIN) National construction trades training initiative delivered in partnership with the Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN), covering masonry, carpentry, tiling, electrical installation, and plumbing with continuous professional development and certification.
• Dual Learning Programme Programme combining theoretical classroom instruction and practical on-the-job training for young Nigerians to enhance workforce readiness and bridge the gap between learning and industry practice.
• ITF Model School Career and Skills Development Programme Structured career and skills development education programme organised by ITF Model School to prepare students for the future of work through career counselling and skills training.
• Grants and Reimbursement Scheme Service through which ITF provides reimbursement to organisations that train their workers with evidence such as course fee receipts, certificates of attendance, and levy receipts. Qualifying organisations must train not less than 15% of their total workforce annually to access full reimbursement grants.
• Research and Development Services Research services supporting capacity building for industries and commerce in Nigeria, including skills gap analysis, labour market studies, and policy-relevant vocational training research.
• Curriculum Design and Development Services for developing training curricula tailored to the manpower needs of Nigerian industries and commerce, supporting both internal programmes and levy-paying organisations.
• Direct Training Services Direct vocational and technical training delivered through ITF's nationwide network of skill training centres and area offices across all 36 states and the FCT.
• MISTDO (Manufacturing and Industrial Skills Training Department Order) Skills certification and regulation service for industrial workers administered by ITF to standardise qualifications across Nigerian manufacturing and industrial settings.
• SIWES (Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme) Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme administered by ITF to place Nigerian students in industry for hands-on practical training as part of their academic programmes; payments to students commended by COHAPEN and NAPS.

Quantifiable outcome

• 120,000+ artisans trained with international certification pathway
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2026ITF and CTIN announced a national skills development programme to train 100,000 artisans in construction trades including masonry, carpentry, tiling, electrical installation, and plumbing. Formal launch scheduled for April 21, 2026 in Lagos. The initiative complements ITF's existing Skill Up Artisans (SUPA) scheme by providing certification, modern technical training, and continuous professional development.
• University of Benin (UNIBEN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerITF and UNIBEN partnered to drive workforce development and artisan upskilling. The partnership involves opening of technical bids for projects under proposed 2026 budgetary framework in line with Procurement Act requirements for transparency and accountability.
• EFL LogisticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerITF strengthened partnership with EFL Logistics through training programme monitoring visits. ITF conducts monitoring to ensure programme quality and effectiveness across training providers.
• Federal Training Centre LagosminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorITF strengthened partnership with Federal Training Centre Lagos to extend skills training reach and capacity in Nigeria's commercial hub. Partnership supports nationwide programme implementation.
• Alberk QA Technic of TürkiyecoreTechnology or IntegrationITF concluded international certification examinations for 2025 SUPA beneficiaries supervised by Alberk QA Technic of Türkiye. This partnership provides internationally recognized certification for Nigerian artisans, enhancing their competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.
• Egbin Power PlanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerITF conducted marketing visit to Egbin Power Plan and other firms to strengthen industry partnership. Visit aimed at understanding industry training needs and strengthening collaboration between ITF and major employers for workforce development.
• Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerITF assessed FUD Entrepreneurship Centre for SUPA trainees allocation. Partnership with universities for entrepreneur training facilities to support SUPA programme beneficiaries in establishing sustainable businesses.
• Nigeria Employers' Consultative Association (NECA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerITF and NECA jointly implement large-scale skills development initiatives as part of Nigeria's commitment to economic transformation through workforce development. NECA represents employer interests in skills planning and implementation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC): India's flagship public-private skills agency financing and scaling vocational training programmes for hundreds of millions of youth. Comparable mandate, scale, and employer-levy funding logic to ITF, though operating under a more commercial PPP structure.
• SkillsFuture Singapore: Singapore's national skills upgrading scheme providing credits and structured pathways for workforce training. Comparable in mandate (national workforce transformation), though operating from a far higher development baseline than ITF.
• National Board for Technical Education (NBTE): Nigeria's federal regulatory body for technical and vocational education, overseeing accreditation and standards for polytechnics and similar institutions. Directly comparable as a domestic TVET authority but focused on accreditation rather than direct training delivery like ITF.

Direct peers

• TEVTA Punjab: Pakistan's Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority, a government statutory body delivering technical and vocational skills training across trades. Closely mirrors ITF in legal form (statutory authority), delivery model, and trades-focused curriculum.
• National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) Kenya: Kenya's statutory industrial training authority levying employers, certifying artisans, and delivering trades training. Directly analogous mandate and funding model to ITF Nigeria.
• NAVTTC (National Vocational and Technical Training Commission): Pakistan's federal regulator for TVET policy, standards, and certification oversight. Comparable as a national TVET authority in a similarly large emerging economy, with strong employer partnership focus.
• Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF): Pakistan's publicly funded training fund that finances demand-driven short courses for industry, mirroring ITF's employer-levy reimbursement model. Directly comparable in funding mechanism, target beneficiary profile, and industry partnership structure.
• National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) Ghana: Ghana's government vocational training institute providing skills training and certification across trades. Closely comparable in West African context, mission, and apprenticeship-style delivery.

Emerging players

• Construction Industry Training Board (CITB): UK's industry-led training board funded by a construction-sector levy and certifying tradespeople. Directly mirrors ITF's construction-trades initiative (with CTIN) and levy-based training model, though operating in a more mature market.

Others

• ILO International Training Centre (ITCILO): The UN agency's training arm delivering workforce development programmes globally, often partnering with national agencies like ITF. Adjacent peer as a global capacity-building partner relevant to ITF's international certification and donor collaboration ambitions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/itfnigeria
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@skill-upnigeria
• Facebookfacebook.com/itfniger

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Industrial Training Fund