ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Federal Government has paid out N3.41bn in monthly stipends to over 73,000 participants under its Technical and Vocational Education and Training programme as part of efforts to tackle youth unemployment and close Nigeria’s growing skills deficit.
Figures obtained from the Federal Ministry of Education revealed that the stipend payments were part of a total N13.98bn disbursed through the TVET scheme.
The ministry stated that while trainees received N3.41bn directly, another N10.57bn was allocated to accredited training centres involved in the programme.
It further revealed that more than 1.3 million Nigerians applied for the initiative, reflecting increasing interest in technical and vocational education amid economic hardship and scarce formal job opportunities.
Introduced on May 30, 2025, the TVET programme is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
The initiative offers tuition-free vocational training, monthly stipends, and start-up assistance for selected trades considered vital to Nigeria’s industrial and economic growth.
According to the ministry, over 1,700 training and trade centres across the country currently participate in the programme, providing training in more than 30 priority trades accredited by the National Board for Technical Education.
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Under the “Master 6 Programme,” beneficiaries undergo six months of tuition-free vocational training and receive a monthly stipend of N22,500.
Those enrolled in the “Master 12 Programme” receive one year of advanced technical training with free tuition, accommodation, feeding, and monthly stipends.
The Federal Government explained that the initiative is intended to build a pool of skilled workers for key industries while equipping young Nigerians with practical and entrepreneurial skills.
The programme comes amid growing concerns over unemployment and the mismatch between available jobs and workforce skills in Nigeria.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that unemployment stood at 4.3 per cent in the second quarter of 2024 under the revised methodology, although unemployment and underemployment remain significantly higher among Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 34.
The International Labour Organisation has consistently identified skills mismatch as a major obstacle to decent employment opportunities for young people in developing nations, including Nigeria.
Despite widespread unemployment, industries such as construction, welding, mechatronics, renewable energy, ICT, agriculture, and automobile maintenance continue to experience shortages of skilled technical workers.
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Education and labour specialists have long argued that Nigeria’s technical education sector suffered years of neglect due to inadequate funding, outdated facilities, weak collaboration with industries, and a stronger societal preference for university education over vocational training.
To revitalise the sector, the Federal Government recently changed the name of Federal Science and Technical Colleges to Federal Technical Colleges.
Students in the colleges now enjoy free tuition, boarding, feeding, and a monthly stipend of N5,000.
The ministry disclosed that more than 38 federal and state technical colleges have been upgraded or repositioned under the ongoing reforms.
To improve quality assurance and hands-on learning, the government said it partnered with Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education Education Services for teacher training and curriculum development.
The National Business and Technical Examinations Board has also been repositioned as the sole National Skills Qualification certifying body in partnership with sectoral awarding organisations.
Experts noted that countries with strong vocational education systems often experience lower youth unemployment because their training programmes align closely with labour market needs and industrial development goals.
The Federal Government added that the ongoing expansion of TVET programmes is aimed at promoting national development, encouraging entrepreneurship, and reducing reliance on white-collar employment.