Shettima to unveil ITF’s new business incubation initiative

The Industrial Training Fund has said that Vice President Kashim Shettima will unveil a new Business Incubation Programme aimed at equipping Nigerian artisans with the skills, resources, and support needed to build sustainable enterprises.

According to the ITF, the initiative represents a major step in the Federal Government’s commitment to skills development, youth empowerment, and economic growth.

In a statement released in Jos on Tuesday and signed by its Director, Press and Public Relations Unit, Thomas Ngor, ITF described the initiative as “a transformative initiative designed to support graduates of the SUPA Programme in establishing and growing sustainable businesses across Nigeria.”

According to the Fund, “The initiative represents a major step in the Federal Government’s commitment to skills development, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship promotion, and inclusive economic growth. It is specifically designed to bridge the gap between skills acquisition and enterprise development by providing selected artisans with the tools, training, mentorship, business support services, and market access required to build successful and sustainable businesses.”

Under the programme, “beneficiaries will undergo comprehensive entrepreneurship and business management training, including the internationally recognised Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) Programme. Participants will also receive support in certification and licensing processes to enhance their professional standing and competitiveness.”

ITF stated that “as part of the incubation framework, selected beneficiaries will be provided with tools, equipment, and start-up support packages under clearly defined participation and repayment arrangements. This approach is intended to promote ownership, accountability, and sustainability while enabling beneficiaries to establish viable enterprises capable of creating employment opportunities for others.”

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Speaking on the initiative, the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund, Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, said the programme is “a strategic intervention aimed at transforming skilled artisans into successful business owners and employers of labour.”

He stated that “the programme goes beyond skills acquisition by providing a structured pathway for artisans to transition into entrepreneurship and contribute meaningfully to national economic development.”

He added, “The ITF Business Incubation Programme for SUPA Artisans is designed to ensure that the skills acquired through the SUPA Programme translate into sustainable livelihoods, thriving enterprises, and increased economic opportunities for Nigerian youths. Our goal is to nurture a new generation of artisans who will drive MSME growth, create jobs, and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s industrial development.”

The ITF said dignitaries expected at the launch include “the Vice President, His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, the Ministers of Industry, Trade and Investment, Her Excellency, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, MFR, and His Excellency, Senator John Owan Enoh, Special Adviser to the President of MSMEs, Mr Tola Johnson, Director-General of SMEDAN, Charles Odili, development partners, financial institutions, artisan associations, members of the National MSME Council, and other stakeholders in the entrepreneurship and enterprise development ecosystem.”

To ensure accountability, “the programme will incorporate a robust monitoring, supervision, and evaluation framework. Beneficiary businesses will be monitored regularly, while periodic impact assessments will be conducted over a five-year period to measure business growth, enterprise sustainability, job creation, youth empowerment outcomes, and contributions to national economic development.”

The Fund listed expected outcomes to include “the creation of sustainable artisan-owned businesses, increased employment opportunities, accelerated growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), enhanced youth economic inclusion, improved business survival rates among SUPA beneficiaries, and strengthened contributions to Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda.”