Ola Akinwunmi
In a bold move to revitalize technical education and address skills gaps, the Federal Government has announced a groundbreaking N45,000 monthly stipend for all students enrolled in public technical colleges across Nigeria.
This non-repayable grant forms the cornerstone of a major push to transform Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) into a more attractive and viable pathway than conventional university degrees.
The announcement was made by Prof. Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), during an assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s second year. Bugaje framed the initiative as a crucial step in “resurrecting” Nigeria’s TVET sector, which he stated had suffered decades of neglect since its stronger position in the colonial and early independence eras.
“This is not just a stipend; it’s a comprehensive support package,” Prof. Bugaje declared in Abuja. “The government will pay school fees, provide stipends for industry-based master craftsmen supervising students, and cover the cost of skills certification. With this, young people will find it far more attractive to attend technical colleges, acquire globally recognized qualifications, and secure employment both within Nigeria and internationally.”
The stark decline of Nigeria’s technical education infrastructure was highlighted by Bugaje, who noted that the country currently has only 129 technical colleges compared to over 15,000 senior secondary schools. He attributed this imbalance to a systemic de-prioritization of TVET since the 1980s.
The Tinubu administration has committed substantial resources to reverse this trend. A dedicated N120 billion fund has been established to finance this ambitious TVET revitalization program. Crucially, the N45,000 monthly payment is structured as a grant, not a loan, eliminating repayment burdens for beneficiaries.
“Students who enjoy this are not going to pay back.
We want to remove barriers and actively encourage enrolment,” Bugaje emphasized.
Funding will be channeled through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), leveraging its existing infrastructure for student financial support.
Recognizing the need for enduring financial backing, Bugaje revealed that the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, is spearheading the development of a critical bill for the National Assembly. This legislation aims to establish the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) and, crucially, a National Skills Fund (NSF).
“The National Skills Fund will provide sustained financing for TVET institutions,” Bugaje explained, “ensuring that not only government technical colleges but also private sector providers receive consistent support. This is about building a permanent, robust funding mechanism for skills development in Nigeria.”
The announcement has been met with anticipation from educators and industry leaders, who see it as a potential game-changer for addressing youth unemployment and equipping the Nigerian workforce with the practical skills demanded by the modern economy. If successfully implemented, this “rebirth” of TVET could significantly reshape Nigeria’s educational landscape and economic future.
