The Federal government has actually released N3.41 bn as monthly stipends to more than 73,000 participants under its Technical and Vocational Education and Training program as part of continuous efforts to deal with joblessness and reinforce technical abilities development throughout the country.
Figures acquired from the Federal Ministry of Education showed that the stipend payment formed part of a total N13.98 bn paid out under the effort.
According to the ministry, while N3.41 bn was paid straight to students, another N10.57 bn was allocated to accredited training centres associated with the implementation of the programme.
The federal government also disclosed that the initiative brought in over 1.3 million applications nationwide, showing increasing interest in vocational and technical education amidst financial hardship and limited job chances.
The TVET program, presented on Might 30, 2025, is being carried out by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
The plan uses tuition-free technical training, regular monthly stipends, and start-up assistance in selected trade fields considered essential to Nigeria’s financial and commercial growth.
The ministry stated that more than 1,700 training and trade centres throughout the nation currently participate in the program, offering training in over 30 trades recognized by the National Board for Technical Education.
Under the “Master 6 Programme,” students get 6 months of tuition-free occupation training alongside a month-to-month stipend of N22,500.
Participants registered in the “Master 12 Programme” undergo one year of innovative technical training with free tuition, accommodation, feeding, and monthly stipends.
The Federal government said the initiative was designed to equip young Nigerians with useful and entrepreneurial skills while creating a pool of experienced employees for important sectors of the economy.
The intervention comes amid growing issues over joblessness and the widening skills gap within Nigeria’s labour market.
Although the National Bureau of Stats placed Nigeria’s unemployment rate at 4.3 per cent in the 2nd quarter of 2024 under its modified methodology, youth unemployment and underemployment stay significantly high among individuals aged 15 to 34.
The International Labour Organization has actually repeatedly recognized abilities inequality as a major obstacle to decent employment opportunities for young people in establishing economies, consisting of Nigeria.
Regardless of high unemployment figures, companies in sectors such as building and construction, farming, renewable resource, auto maintenance, ICT, welding, and mechatronics continue to report lacks of technically knowledgeable workers.
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Professionals have likewise long argued that Nigeria’s technical education sector suffered years of overlook caused by insufficient financing, out-of-date facilities, weak market collaborations, and societal preference for university education over trade training.
As part of continuous reforms, the Federal government just recently relabelled Federal Science and Technical Colleges as Federal Technical Colleges.
Trainees registered in the institutions now take advantage of complimentary tuition, feeding, lodging, and a monthly stipend of N5,000.
The ministry revealed that over 38 federal and state technical colleges had either been upgraded or rearranged under the reform program.
To enhance quality assurance and practical training outcomes, the federal government said it had actually partnered with Institute of Technical Education Services in Singapore for curriculum development and teacher training.
The National Company and Technical Examinations Board has actually likewise been designated as the sole National Skills Qualification certifying authority in collaboration with sectoral granting organisations.
The Federal government stated the expansion of TVET programs forms part of broader plans to increase entrepreneurship, enhance labor force advancement, and reduce dependence on white-collar employment opportunities.