Federal Government plans N45,000 monthly stipend for Nigerian TVET students

To reform vocational training in the country, the federal government has announced its intention to provide a N45,000 monthly allowance to students enrolled in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.

Idris Bugaje, who serves as the executive secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), revealed this information during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja as part of a review of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in its second year.

Bugaje stated that this measure is designed to accelerate the progress of technical education and increase the number of students pursuing education below the tertiary level.

“‘With this, young people will find it more attractive to come to a technical college, acquire skills qualifications, get jobs locally and even beyond the borders of Nigeria.

“‘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 explained.

The National Board for Technical Education has also been advocating that half of the school curriculum should be focused on practical skill development.

Bugaje added that this monthly payment is just one of multiple strategies being introduced to motivate young Nigerians to prefer technical learning over traditional university paths.

He pointed out that the technical education system, which once thrived during the colonial and early post-independence era, has been neglected for many years.

“‘During colonial days and the early part of our independence, TVET had received attention.

“‘But, since the 1980s, we have been going down the drain. 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 remarked.

However, Bugaje noted that besides the N45,000 monthly allowance, the federal government also intends to introduce other forms of support such as paying students’ tuition fees and compensating supervisors from the industry, referred to as “‘master class’” instructors, where students carry out industrial training.

Additional plans include covering expenses related to certifying student skills and offering a N120 billion grant to TVET students.

Bugaje also revealed that President Tinubu’s government has approved a N120 billion grant to enhance the new TVET programme.

He said the funds will be allocated through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

“‘The N45,000 is not a loan but a grant. Students who enjoy this are not going to pay back.

“‘We want to encourage more people to enrol in technical education,’” he affirmed.

To maintain the initiative over time, he explained that the education minister is leading the charge to push a new bill that would create a National Skills Fund within a new Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).

“‘This was an idea we have been talking about in the past years, but the new minister has taken it up.

“‘The bill shall soon be presented in the National Assembly to establish the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework and under it, the National Skills Fund,’” he stated.

Furthermore, he said, “‘The National Skills Fund will continue to fund TVET institutions, not only those in government colleges, but also those in the private sector.’”