The Federal Government has disbursed N3.41 billion in monthly stipends to more than 73,000 Nigerians enrolled in its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme as part of efforts to reduce unemployment and address the country’s widening skills gap.
Data released by the Federal Ministry of Education showed that the payment is part of a larger N13.98 billion so far released under the TVET initiative.
Key Highlights:
- Federal Ministry of Education paid N3.41bn stipends to 73,000 TVET trainees.
- Total TVET disbursement has reached N13.98bn nationwide.
- Over 1.3 million Nigerians applied for the programme.
- Trainees receive free vocational training and monthly stipends.
- Tunji Alausa said the scheme aims to boost job skills and employment.
According to the ministry, N3.41 billion was paid directly to trainees, while N10.57 billion was disbursed to accredited training centres participating in the programme across the country.
The ministry further disclosed that over 1.3 million Nigerians applied for the scheme, reflecting growing interest in vocational and technical education amid worsening economic conditions and rising unemployment.
Read Also:
- FG begins second phase of TVET scheme, trainees to receive ₦22,500 monthly
- Fg opens application portal to recruit Technical facilitators for TVET initiative
- FG’s TVET scheme begins shortlisting successful applicants
The TVET programme was launched on May 30, 2025, by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
Under the initiative, participants receive tuition-free vocational training, monthly stipends and start-up support in trades considered critical to Nigeria’s industrial and economic development.
The government currently partners with more than 1,700 training and trade centres nationwide, offering courses in over 30 accredited trades approved by the National Board for Technical Education.
Through the “Master 6 Programme,” trainees undergo six months of free vocational training and receive a monthly stipend of N22,500.
Participants enrolled in the “Master 12 Programme” receive one year of advanced technical training with free tuition, accommodation, feeding and monthly stipends.
The Federal Government said the initiative is aimed at producing skilled manpower for key industries while equipping young Nigerians with employable and entrepreneurial skills.
The programme comes amid growing concerns over unemployment, underemployment and the shortage of technically skilled workers in sectors such as construction, ICT, renewable energy, agriculture, welding and automobile maintenance.
As part of wider reforms in the education sector, the Federal Government recently renamed Federal Science and Technical Colleges as Federal Technical Colleges to strengthen technical education nationwide.
Students in the colleges now benefit from free tuition, boarding, feeding and monthly stipends of N5,000.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has also introduced reforms including partnerships with Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education Education Services to improve teacher training and curriculum development.
