FG declared that students attending technical colleges nationwide will receive a monthly stipend
When the Federal Government announced a new monthly stipend of ₦45,000 for students in technical colleges, many young Nigerians saw something they had long prayed for — a real chance to stay in school and learn practical skills. For thousands who could not afford fees or transport, this policy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is slowly reshaping their dreams and the future of the country’s technical workforce.
The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, described the stipend as “a rebirth of TVET in Nigeria.” Beyond the allowance, the government will also pay tuition, fund skill certification, and support industry-based supervisors — the “master class” instructors who guide students during hands-on training.
According to Bugaje, the message is simple: technical education is now a serious national priority. With ₦120 billion earmarked under NELFUND, the support is a grant, not a loan. “We want to encourage more young people to choose skills, not drop out,” he said.
For education experts, this marks a turning point in a sector that has long been neglected. As of the last count, Nigeria has only 129 technical colleges, compared to over 15,000 secondary schools, a significant gap that reflects years of neglect. Scholars like Prof. Reko Okoye and Maxwell Arimonu have warned that underfunding, outdated equipment, and poorly motivated teachers have weakened the impact of TVET. However, the new stipend may be shifting that story.
Technical education specialist Dr Benjamin Achiatar told journalists that skills training can cut youth unemployment in the short term by helping young people “find jobs or start small businesses.” In the medium term, he adds, it drives innovation, reduces reliance on imported products, and supports sustainable development.
Stakeholders say the stipend matters most because it tackles the most significant barrier — poverty. Many technical students come from low-income homes, and staying in school is often a daily struggle. With guaranteed monthly support, more students can now focus on learning welding, robotics, carpentry, electrical installation, automobile work, ICT, and other in-demand skills.
To make the programme last, the Minister of Education is pushing for a National Skills Fund, a long-term framework that will finance technical training across public and private institutions.
While challenges remain, one thing is clear: for the first time in many years, technical education is back in national conversation — and young Nigerians are beginning to feel hopeful again.
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