By Willy Okonji-
The federal government has announced that students in technical colleges nationwide will now receive a monthly allowance of ₦45,000 as part of a major push to revitalize Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nigeria.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, described the initiative as a “game-changer” designed to make technical education more attractive to Nigerian youth.
“The aim of this programme is to boost the TVET sector, encouraging more students to enroll in these colleges where they can learn practical skills,” Bugaje said.
Under the new scheme, the federal government will not only pay the monthly stipends but will also cover tuition costs, pay experienced instructors, and assist students in obtaining skill certifications.
“With this initiative, we hope to attract young people to technical colleges, enabling them to gain skills that will help them find jobs both in Nigeria and abroad,” Bugaje explained.
“For too long, technical education has been neglected. Since the 1980s, the sector has suffered, leading to a steep decline in the number of technical colleges.”
According to Bugaje, Nigeria currently has just 129 technical colleges compared to 15,000 senior secondary schools — a gap the government hopes to narrow with this fresh investment.
The funding will come through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), and importantly, the ₦45,000 monthly stipend will not need to be repaid by students.
Bugaje also revealed that the Minister of Education is preparing a new bill to establish a National Skills Fund, aimed at providing sustained financing for TVET institutions, including private technical colleges.
“We are working to ensure that technical education in Nigeria gets the attention and resources it deserves,” he said. “The proposed law will soon be presented to the National Assembly, and we are hopeful it will pass quickly.”
The government says the ultimate goal is to strengthen Nigeria’s skilled workforce, improve employment opportunities for young people, and ensure the country remains competitive in both local and global labor markets.
