The federal government has announced plans to provide technical college students across Nigeria with a monthly stipend of ₦45,000 as part of a comprehensive initiative to revitalize technical and vocational education in the country.
The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, revealed the groundbreaking program during an interview with newsmen in Abuja, explaining that the initiative aims to restore interest in technical education and boost enrollment in technical colleges nationwide.
According to Bugaje, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has allocated a substantial ₦120 billion grant to support students under the new Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative, which will be disbursed through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
The NBTE Executive Secretary expressed concern about the declining interest in technical and vocational education over the years, emphasizing the urgent need to revive this critical sector and encourage more young Nigerians to pursue technical skills training.
Bugaje justified the significant financial investment by highlighting the employment opportunities and career prospects that technical education provides, both within Nigeria and internationally. He argued that students who complete technical training programs acquire valuable skills qualifications that make them highly employable in various sectors of the economy.
“With this, young people will find it more attractive to come to a technical college, acquire skills qualification, get jobs locally and even beyond the borders of Nigeria,” Bugaje explained, outlining the government’s vision for transforming the technical education landscape.
The NBTE chief described the current moment as pivotal for technical education in Nigeria, characterizing the initiative as either “a resurrection or a rebirth of TVET.” He provided historical context for the decline of technical education, noting that while the sector received significant attention during colonial times and the early years of independence, it has experienced steady deterioration since the 1980s.
“This way, the whole sector is being repositioned. We are at the moment facing what you may call either a resurrection or a rebirth of TVET,” Bugaje stated, emphasizing the transformative potential of the new program.
The Executive Secretary painted a stark picture of the current state of technical education infrastructure, revealing that Nigeria currently has only 129 technical colleges compared to approximately 15,000 senior secondary schools across the country. This dramatic disparity illustrates the extent to which technical education has been neglected in favor of conventional academic pathways.
“During colonial days and early part of our independence, TVET had received attention. But, since 1980s, we have been going down the drains. 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 explained.
Importantly, Bugaje clarified that the ₦45,000 monthly payment represents a grant rather than a loan, meaning students will not be required to repay the funds after completing their studies. This approach differs from traditional student loan schemes and demonstrates the government’s commitment to removing financial barriers that might prevent young people from pursuing technical education.
“The ₦45,000 is not as 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,” Bugaje emphasized, highlighting the non-repayable nature of the financial support.
The initiative represents a significant shift in Nigeria’s approach to addressing youth unemployment and skills development challenges. By providing direct financial incentives for technical education, the government aims to redirect young people toward vocational training that can lead to immediate employment opportunities and entrepreneurship possibilities.
The program also aligns with broader economic diversification goals, as technical and vocational skills are essential for developing manufacturing, construction, technology, and other sectors that could reduce Nigeria’s dependence on oil revenues. The emphasis on international employment opportunities also suggests recognition of the global demand for skilled technical workers.
