In a strategic move to tackle youth unemployment and bolster the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, the Federal Government has unveiled a comprehensive incentive package for students enrolled in technical colleges across the country.
Under the new initiative, each student will receive a monthly stipend of ₦45,000, in addition to free tuition, feeding, and accommodation. The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, disclosed the development on Friday, describing it as a game-changer for skills acquisition in Nigeria.
“The stipend is not a loan but a grant aimed at attracting more youths to technical education and closing the existing skills gap,” Bugaje said.
The policy also includes support for “master class” instructors supervising industrial attachments, as well as the cost of skill certification for students. The scheme is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes education reform and youth empowerment.
Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa further explained that ₦120 billion has been allocated for the programme through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), covering over 300 approved technical colleges nationwide.
A legislative bill is also in progress to establish a National Skills Fund, designed to provide continuous financial backing for public and private TVET institutions under a proposed Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).
The Federal Government’s action has been widely applauded as a bold step toward reducing unemployment, enhancing industrial growth, and positioning Nigeria as a competitive economy built on skilled manpower.
