The Industrial Training Fund, ITF, has disowned a viral advertisement promoting a programme titled ‘Boys industrial training initiative 2024 undergraduate technical internship’ on a cloned website, describing the advertisement as “fake”.

The ITF, in a statement on Wednesday, signed by its Director General, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, said despite the website’s professional appearance and use of the ITF logo and name, no legitimate internship or scholarship programme exists under the initiative.

The statement read: “The organisation behind the posting is falsely promoting opportunities that do not exist. While the site provides detailed information including deadlines and application procedures, and the use of the ITF logo and name.

“It is entirely fabricated and misleading with no association to the industrial training fund or any recognised company or educational institution.

“Note that the industrial training fund as an organisation runs programs and services that includes research and development, direct training, curriculum design and development, student industrial work experience schemes (Siwes), technical and vocational skills development, ICT training and service, MSME development and support services, bespoke and special intervention programs.

“The industrial training fund is currently engaged in the training of Nigerians aimed at registering, upskilling, licensing and empowering 10 million Nigerian artisans with skills and certification in 20 different trades under the Skill Up Artisan (SUPA) program that will enable them work both locally and internationally.

“The people behind the fake advertisement are inviting unsuspecting individuals to apply for a non existing program.

“The industrial training fund hereby dissociates itself from such online advertorials. Members of the public and individuals are urged to avoid applying for this program as there are no real opportunities or benefits offered. It is important to verify the legitimacy of any internship or scholarship before submitting personal information to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.”