The Federal Government’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme is facing growing participation challenges as an increasing number of beneficiaries reportedly withdraw from the initiative over concerns about inadequate stipends, delayed payments, rising transportation costs and uncertainty surrounding post-training support.
The TVET programme, implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was introduced to equip young Nigerians with practical vocational and technical skills aimed at boosting employment, entrepreneurship and self-reliance. To improve participants’ welfare, the Federal Government recently increased the monthly stipend from ₦22,500 to ₦30,000.
However, findings by The Trumpet, based on telephone interviews with beneficiaries in Abuja and online conversations with participants across several states, indicate that the increment has done little to ease the financial burden confronting many trainees.
Several beneficiaries told The Trumpet that the monthly stipend is insufficient to cover transportation, feeding and other expenses required to participate in the programme, especially amid the country’s rising cost of living.
One of the beneficiaries, Abdulrahman Yahaya, said he spends close to ₦70,000 monthly on transportation and feeding alone, more than twice the stipend provided under the scheme.
“My monthly transport and feeding expenses are more than twice the stipend. I’m already struggling to survive. If I abandon what I’m currently doing to attend the training full-time, there is still no guarantee that the stipend will be paid as promised,” he said.
A participant from the programme’s first batch, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that poor implementation has undermined confidence in the initiative.
According to him, he received only two months’ stipend despite completing the six-month programme, while several of his colleagues reportedly received no payment at all.
“The programme itself is a commendable initiative, but poor implementation has discouraged many people. The low turnout we’re seeing now is largely because beneficiaries from the first batch shared their experiences. Many successful applicants have withdrawn, and that’s why the registration portal has been reopened to attract new participants,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Abdullahi Idris, expressed concern over the absence of clear information regarding post-training support.
He explained that a recent email sent to beneficiaries only announced the increase in monthly stipends and the training schedule but made no mention of the startup packs many participants had expected upon graduation.
“If there was a definite assurance that beneficiaries would receive startup packs after completing the programme, enjoy uninterrupted monthly stipend payments and receive an exit package to launch their businesses, many of us would be more motivated because we would have something tangible to build on after the training,” he said.
Idris also described the programme’s schedule as demanding, noting that trainees are required to attend sessions lasting between four and five hours daily, five days a week.
According to him, the time commitment makes it difficult for participants who operate small businesses or rely on daily income to support themselves.
“Five hours every day for five days a week is a huge commitment. If you’re a trader or self-employed, those are productive business hours you’re giving up. Transportation in Abuja is expensive, especially for those travelling long distances. By the time you calculate transport and feeding, the ₦30,000 stipend is simply not enough,” he added.
He further criticised the attendance policy, which requires participants to clock in at the beginning of each session and remain until the end before clocking out for their attendance to be recognised.
According to him, the policy offers little flexibility for participants with legitimate work or family obligations.
Another beneficiary, Haggai Amos, told The Trumpet that he had already withdrawn from the programme because he could no longer cope with the financial demands and the uncertainty surrounding stipend payments.
“I am no longer interested in the programme. I’ve withdrawn because I can’t cope with the expenses, especially with the uncertainty over payments and the demanding training schedule,” he said.
The concerns have also sparked reactions on social media, where Nigerians urged the Federal Government to improve the implementation of the programme.
A Facebook user, Fithnk Ikechukwu, wrote: “Five days in a week is too much. Nobody is even sure they will receive the complete stipend. N-Power beneficiaries are still being owed months of allowances. Yes, it’s a free skill acquisition programme, but trainees still need money for transport, feeding and other expenses. The government should at least pay one month’s stipend for a start.”
Read also:
- FG disburses N3.41bn stipends to 73,000 Nigerians under TVET programme
- FG begins second phase of TVET scheme, trainees to receive ₦22,500 monthly
- Fg opens application portal to recruit Technical facilitators for TVET initiative
Another commenter, Success Solomon Nduoma, added: “They should pay the stipend. Attendance is dropping because transportation is too expensive.”
Despite their frustrations, many beneficiaries acknowledged that the TVET programme remains a potentially transformative initiative capable of empowering thousands of Nigerian youths through skills acquisition and entrepreneurship if issues relating to timely stipend payments, participant welfare, startup support and programme implementation are urgently addressed.
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Ministry of Education had not responded to enquiries from The Trumpet regarding the allegations of delayed stipend payments, uncertainty over startup packs and the reported withdrawal of beneficiaries from the programme.
