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The Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced a new support package for students in technical colleges, offering them a monthly stipend of N45,000. This is part of a major effort to revive interest in technical and vocational education, which has long been neglected.
The announcement was made by Professor Idris Bugaje, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), during an interview in Abuja. According to him, this move is aimed at encouraging more young people to consider technical skills training as a valuable path to success.
Professor Bugaje explained that the N45,000 stipend is not a loan, but a grant, meaning students will not need to repay it. He added that this program would help reduce unemployment by equipping students with practical skills that are in high demand both locally and abroad.
He also noted that technical education was once a strong part of Nigeria's education system, especially during colonial times and early independence. But over the years, interest in technical colleges has declined. Today, Nigeria has only about 129 technical colleges compared to over 15,000 senior secondary schools.
In addition to the monthly stipend, the federal government will also cover tuition fees, pay industry-based supervisors (often called "master class" instructors), and handle the cost of skill certification for students. This is all part of a broader plan to improve Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across the country.
To further support the program, the government has approved a N120 billion grant through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). The grant is specifically for students in the TVET program and is completely free of repayment.
Professor Bugaje also mentioned that the Ministry of Education is working on a bill to create a National Skills Fund, which will provide long-term financial support for TVET institutions, both public and private. The fund will operate under a new Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework, and the bill is expected to be presented soon at the National Assembly.
This announcement comes as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader plan to reform technical education in Nigeria. The government has already adjusted the curriculum to focus 80% on practical, hands-on skills and only 20% on theory. Earlier this year, Nigeria also signed an agreement with China to strengthen vocational education and provide more resources for young Nigerians.
This new initiative brings hope to many students who want to learn a trade or technical skill but lack the resources to do so. With this kind of support, more young Nigerians may soon find it easier to build careers and contribute to the country’s economy.
