The Federal Government has announced a monthly stipend of N45,000 for students enrolled in technical colleges nationwide, in a major policy shift aimed at revamping technical and vocational education.
Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, disclosed this during a media interview in Abuja, marking the second anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
According to Bugaje, the monthly grant is one of several incentives under a sweeping strategy to make TVET a viable and appealing alternative to conventional university education.
He noted that the policy also includes full tuition coverage, stipends for industry-based “master class” instructors supervising student attachments, and funding for skill certification programmes.
Bugaje said “This is about rebranding the entire sector. We are witnessing what could be described as a resurrection, or perhaps a rebirth, of TVET in Nigeria.
“Young people will now have more reasons to pursue technical education, gain valuable skills, and secure employment both locally and internationally.”
He lamented the sector’s decline since the 1980s, noting that the number of technical colleges has dwindled to just 129 nationwide, compared to over 15,000 senior secondary schools.
However, he expressed confidence that the new direction would help restore the lost prestige of technical education in the country.
To fund the programme, the Federal Government has earmarked a N120 billion grant, to be disbursed through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND.
Bugaje also clarified that the stipend is not a loan but a non-repayable grant intended to boost enrollment and retention in technical institutions.
He added that the Minister of Education is pushing a legislative bill to establish a National Skills Fund under the proposed Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework, NSQF.
The bill, which is expected to be presented to the National Assembly soon, will provide long-term funding not only for public technical colleges but also for accredited private sector institutions.
“This idea has been in discussion for years, but the current administration is finally acting on it,” Bugaje added. “The National Skills Fund will be a game-changer for TVET in Nigeria.”
