The Federal Government has disbursed N4.7 billion as the first tranche of stipends to beneficiaries under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme, marking a major step in Nigeria’s renewed strategy to expand practical skills development and reduce unemployment among young people. The announcement was made by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who confirmed that both trainees and accredited training centres have now received direct payments under the scheme.
The disbursement is the outcome of several months of programme implementation that began in May. It reflects the government’s broader drive to create a pipeline of technically skilled workers that can support Nigeria’s industrial aspirations, bridge the skills gap, and enhance economic productivity. By prioritising employability and enterprise creation, the TVET programme is expected to play a central role in empowering young Nigerians with practical, income-ready skills.
In a public update released on X (formerly Twitter), Dr. Alausa described the payment phase as a “major milestone” in the rollout of the Federal Ministry of Education’s vocational training agenda. According to him, more than 42,000 fully registered beneficiaries have received their monthly stipends, while over 600 accredited training centres have been compensated for their role in providing structured, certified training across various trades.
“We have begun the first round of direct payments to trainees and training centres across the country,” he stated. “Over 42,000 students have now received their monthly N22,500 stipend for upkeep and transportation. More than 600 independent training centres have also been paid for the skills training they provide, ensuring quality and continuity.”
Dr. Alausa emphasised that the first tranche of funding is only the beginning of a larger, continuous rollout that will cover more trainees as registrations, assessments, and enrolments continue nationwide. He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Ministry to expedite skills-based empowerment programmes as part of the administration’s focus on youth employment, innovation, and inclusive economic growth. In line with this directive, the TVET programme has rapidly moved from registration phases into practical, hands-on training within a matter of months.
To support nationwide participation, the Federal Ministry of Education opened the accreditation window to all eligible vocational institutions, enterprise centres, and master-craft practitioners. Accredited centres must meet strict requirements, including registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), adoption of an NSQ-based curriculum, an acceptable instructor-to-student ratio, and adequate workshop infrastructure. Only centres with qualified assessors and quality-assurance personnel were cleared to train participants and access funding.
A key feature of the programme is its 80:20 training structure, where 80% of the content is dedicated to hands-on practical work, while 20% focuses on theoretical classroom learning. This design aims to ensure that trainees develop job-ready technical competencies that can translate directly into employment or entrepreneurship opportunities.
Interest in the programme has been strong from the outset. Within one week of the TVET portal going live, the Ministry received over 90,000 applications from potential learners. The entrance examination conducted in June showed a surge in participation, with candidate numbers rising from 7,547 in 2024 to 30,000 in 2025, representing an increase of nearly 300%.
As the rollout expanded, the Ministry introduced an artisan-led mentorship model across 38 upgraded technical colleges. Under this framework, experienced craftsmen, technicians, and industry practitioners guide trainees, ensuring that classroom learning is grounded in real-world industry practice. The mentorship approach is expected to deepen the quality of instruction while preserving traditional technical knowledge.
The first phase of disbursements signals the government’s intention to position TVET as a core pillar of human capital development, supporting a stronger workforce that can contribute to national development goals.
