President Tinubu has approved a monthly ₦45,000 grant for students in technical colleges, aiming to boost skills acquisition and revive Nigeria’s vocational education sector.
The fully funded initiative, described as a youth investment, also covers tuition, industrial training, and certification to combat unemployment and bridge the nation’s skills gap.
In a groundbreaking move aimed at revitalizing technical education and equipping Nigerian youth with practical skills, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a monthly ₦45,000 cash award for every student enrolled in technical colleges across the country. This new initiative, described as a direct grant rather than a loan, is designed to make technical and vocational education and training (TVET) more attractive and accessible.
Government backing for TVET
The policy was unveiled by the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Professor Idris Bugaje, who confirmed that the funds would be disbursed through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund). He stressed that the monthly stipends are non-repayable, underscoring the government’s intention to invest directly in its youth without saddling them with future debt.
“This isn’t debt, it’s an investment in our youth,” Bugaje emphasized during a media briefing with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). According to him, the initiative marks a strategic shift in government policy to not only encourage enrollment but also improve the quality and perception of vocational education nationwide.
Beyond stipends: Holistic support for students
In addition to the monthly allowance, the program includes comprehensive support measures such as full coverage of tuition fees, stipends for supervisors during students’ industrial training placements, and funding for certification processes related to skills acquisition. These efforts are aimed at removing financial barriers that might prevent students from completing their technical education.
With many technical colleges across the nation in decline, down from over 100 active institutions a decade ago, the initiative comes at a critical time. Industries such as manufacturing, renewable energy, construction, and information and communication technology (ICT) continue to face a shortage of skilled workers. The administration hopes this financial incentive will reverse the downward trend in enrollment, attract new applicants, and ultimately strengthen the country’s workforce.
Addressing youth unemployment and skills mismatch
Nigeria has long grappled with a troubling youth unemployment rate, partly due to a mismatch between academic education and labor market needs. By promoting hands-on learning and competency-based training, the Tinubu administration aims to close the skills gap and offer young Nigerians a clear path to gainful employment.
The response on social media has been overwhelmingly positive. On platform X (formerly Twitter), user @katolafestus3 commented, “Nigerians win again, may God bless this initiative,” while @olamijuwon1007 called it “a game-changer for technical education.”
Budgetary support and legislative action
To ensure the sustainability of this ambitious program, the federal government has allocated ₦120 billion in the 2025 national budget. This allocation will also support the creation of a National Skills Fund, a critical component of the upcoming Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), which aims to standardize and certify skills training across various sectors.
A bill to institutionalize these reforms is expected to be presented to the National Assembly shortly. If passed, it will provide a legal foundation for continued funding, oversight, and implementation of the TVET support program in subsequent years.
Outlook and expectations
The first disbursement of grants is scheduled to begin next month. Government officials, educational stakeholders, and the general public will be closely watching to see whether the initiative leads to increased enrollment in technical institutions and improved employment outcomes among graduates.
If successful, this bold approach could serve as a model for other African countries seeking to combat unemployment and build a more skilled, future-ready workforce through targeted investments in vocational education.
