The Federal Government has approved a N45,000 monthly stipend for students in technical colleges across the country as part of efforts to reform the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector.
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The initiative, announced in Abuja by the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, also includes payment of tuition fees, industry-based supervision, and skill certification costs. It aims to boost enrollment, enhance skill acquisition, and position TVET as a viable alternative to university education.
A N120 billion grant has been allocated for the programme through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). The stipend will be disbursed as a non-repayable grant.
To ensure sustainability, the Minister of Education is proposing a bill to establish a National Skills Fund under the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) for continued support to public and private TVET institutions.
