In a bold move to reposition Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and attract more young Nigerians into the skilled trades sector, the Federal Government has approved a monthly stipend of ₦45,000 for all students enrolled in technical colleges across the country.
This was disclosed by Professor Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), during an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Prof. Bugaje explained that the new initiative is part of a broader strategy by the government to revive the dwindling technical education sector and make it more appealing to young Nigerians seeking relevant skills for the job market.
“With this, young people will find it more attractive to come to a technical college, acquire skills qualifications, and get jobs—both locally and internationally,” he stated.
Describing the development as a “resurrection or rebirth of TVET”, Prof. Bugaje lamented the sharp decline in attention given to technical education since the 1980s. He noted that Nigeria currently has only 129 technical colleges, compared to 15,000 senior secondary schools, highlighting a significant imbalance in the country’s educational structure.
He recalled that technical education thrived during the colonial era and the early years of Nigeria’s independence, but subsequently suffered neglect due to systemic shifts in policy priorities.
“This initiative is not a loan but a grant,” Prof. Bugaje emphasized. “Students who benefit from the ₦45,000 monthly stipend will not be required to pay it back. It is a deliberate effort to make technical education a viable and attractive option once again.”
The stipend, according to the NBTE boss, is expected to boost enrollment in technical colleges, improve skill acquisition among Nigerian youths, and address the growing skills gap in various sectors of the economy.
The Federal Government’s intervention comes at a time when unemployment and underemployment remain critical challenges, and the need for a skilled workforce to drive industrialization and economic diversification has become more urgent than ever.
Stakeholders in the education sector have lauded the initiative, describing it as a timely step that could help reposition Nigeria’s education system to meet global standards in technical and vocational training.
