ITF, Cement Institute To Train 100,000 Artisans For Construction Sector

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF), in collaboration with the Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN), has concluded arrangements to launch a landmark skills development programme to train and upskill 100,000 artisans in Nigeria’s construction sector.

The programme, to be implemented in phases nationwide, will equip Artisans with skills in Masonry, Carpentry and Joinery, Tiling, Electrical Installation, Plaster of Paris (PoP), and Plumbing and Pipe Fitting.

ITF in a statement issued by the Head, Press & Public Relations Unit, Thomas Ngor

said the official launch of the initiative is scheduled for April 21, 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, and is expected to attract key stakeholders from the Government and Industry.

According to the statement, among the dignitaries expected at the event are the Honourable Ministers of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole and Senator John Owan Enoh, who will serve as Special Guests of Honour.

Also expected are leading figures in Nigeria’s industrial sector, including the Chairman of the Dangote Group and President of CTIN, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; the Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Isyaku Rabiu; the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Director of Lafarge Cement, Lolu Alade Akinyemi and the Director-General/Chief Executive of the Industrial Training Fund, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun.

Speaking ahead of the launch, the Director-General of ITF, Dr Ogun, who described CTIN as a critical institution in strengthening Nigeria’s cement and construction ecosystem, expressed delight at the partnership, noting that the initiative represents a strategic intervention to bridge the skills gap in the construction industry.

He emphasised that the programme aligns with the Fund’s mandate to equip Nigerians with industry-relevant skills that enhance productivity, employability, and national development.

Dr Ogun explained that the collaboration was timely and critical, especially in light of the increasing incidents of building collapse across the country, noting that poor workmanship, inadequate training, and the use of substandard construction practices have continued to pose significant risks to lives and property.

According to him, the CTIN–ITF synergy would address these challenges by equipping artisans with the requisite technical competencies, promoting adherence to industry standards, and fostering a culture of professionalism within the sector.

The Director-General noted that the initiative would add significant value to beneficiaries of ITF’s flagship Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) Programme from enhanced technical training modules developed in collaboration with CTIN, exposure to modern construction techniques, and access to standardised best practices in cement application and structural integrity.

“The synergy will also improve the employability and earning potential of SUPA trainees by aligning their skills with industry requirements and expectations of major construction firms. In addition, beneficiaries will gain increased visibility and credibility within the construction value chain, thereby positioning them for better job opportunities, contracts, and entrepreneurial growth.

“It will also facilitate certification and continuous professional development for artisans under the SUPA scheme, ensuring that they remain competitive and relevant in an evolving construction landscape. This, he said, will ultimately contribute to improved quality of construction projects nationwide and strengthen public confidence in the sector”.

Dr Ogun added that the collaboration would deepen capacity building, promote the adoption of modern techniques within the sector, and improve standards in the construction sector industry, and contribute to Nigeria’s broader economic growth agenda.