The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a monthly stipend of N45,000 for students enrolled in technical colleges across the country. This initiative aims to revitalize the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector.
Prof. Idris Bugaje, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), shared this information during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, which coincided with the assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office.
Prof. Bugaje explained that this initiative will accelerate the development of technical education and increase student enrollment at the sub-tertiary level. He stated, “With this support, young people will find technical colleges more attractive, allowing them to acquire skills, secure jobs both locally and internationally.”
He further emphasized, “This approach is repositioning the entire sector. We are currently experiencing what could be described as either a resurrection or a rebirth of TVET.”
Why this Policy
According to Prof. Bugaje, the stipend is one of several support mechanisms aimed at encouraging more young Nigerians to choose technical education over conventional university degrees.
He noted that the technical education sector, once vibrant during colonial and early post-independence periods, has suffered years of neglect.
“During colonial days and the early part of our independence, TVET had received attention.
“But, since the 1980s, we have been going down the drain. That is why the number of technical colleges has dropped, from 129 at the moment, compared to 15,000 senior secondary schools in Nigeria,” he said.
Beyond the N45,000 monthly stipend, Bugaje said the government would also:
- Cover teaching fees for students
- Pay industry-based supervisors, known as “master class” instructors, where students undertake industrial attachments
- Finance the cost of skill certification for students.
N120 billion Grant for TVET Students
The Executive Secretary further revealed that the Tinubu-led administration had approved a N120 billion grant to support the new TVET programme.
The funds will be disbursed through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
“The N45,000 is not a loan, but a grant. Students who enjoy this are not going to pay back.
“We want to encourage more people to enroll in technical education,” he said.
To ensure sustainability, Bugaje noted that the Minister of Education is spearheading efforts to pass a legislative bill that would establish a National Skills Fund under a new Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).
“This was an idea we have been talking about in the past years, but the new minister has taken it up.
“The bill shall soon be presented in the National Assembly to establish the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework and under it, the National Skills Fund.
“The National Skills Fund will continue to fund TVET institutions, not only those in government colleges, but also those in the private sector,” he stated.
