The Federal Government has approved free tuition, feeding, and accommodation for students in federal and state technical colleges across the country.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja at the official launch of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative themed ‘Advancing Skills, Empowering the Future’.
According to the minister, the package also includes a monthly stipend of N22,500 for students enrolled in the colleges.
“Out of the 5.2 million students that graduate from secondary schools annually, only about 1.8 million gain admission into tertiary institutions.
“The remaining 3.4 million are left behind. This initiative is to bridge that gap,” Alausa said.
He added that the programme is part of a larger plan to reposition the education system by training over seven million Nigerian youths in talent and skills acquisition to meet the practical needs of the nation’s economy.
“We are moving from a result-based to a knowledge-based economy. With this gesture, we aim to attract more young Nigerians into technical education and equip them with relevant, market-driven skills that will make them productive and self-reliant,” the minister stated.
Alausa further revealed that the government would invest billions of naira in the project, covering the cost of training, certification, internet connectivity, and other logistics to ensure equitable access, especially in underserved communities.
Upon completion of their training, beneficiaries will also receive starter packs and access to single-digit loans in partnership with the Bank of Industry to help them launch their careers or small businesses.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed, described TVET as the “backbone of national progress” and a pathway to turning the nation’s potential into purpose.
“The skills developed through TVET are the foundation for a prosperous and resilient Nigeria. This is not just about acquiring skills—it’s about restoring hope, dignity, and building the Nigeria we believe in,” she said.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, urged the government to raise the stipend to align with the national minimum wage, insisting that such an adjustment is both necessary and achievable.
Bugaje emphasized that the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) embedded within the TVET initiative goes beyond educational reform.
“It is a strategic investment in the nation’s future and requires a collective commitment to transform Nigeria’s human capital landscape,” he said.
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