Technical College Students: Tuition, Accommodation, Feeding, and ₦22,500 Monthly Stipend Included
In a groundbreaking move aimed at empowering Nigerian youths and bridging the gap in skilled labor, the Federal Government has announced a fully-funded education package for students in technical colleges across the country. This policy, which applies to both federal and state-owned technical institutions, is part of a broader initiative to revitalize Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) nationwide.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, represented by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the launch of the TVET project in Abuja on Friday, May 30, 2025. According to Dr. Alausa, the initiative will not only provide free tuition but also include accommodation, feeding, and a monthly stipend of ₦22,500 for each student enrolled in these institutions.
A Major Boost to Technical Education in Nigeria
The new initiative is seen as a strategic policy decision to address several lingering issues in Nigeria’s education and employment sectors:
- Youth Unemployment: With youth unemployment rates continuing to pose serious challenges, the FG is positioning TVET as a solution to equip young Nigerians with hands-on skills that make them job-ready or capable of self-employment.
- Skill Gaps in Critical Sectors: From construction to ICT, renewable energy to agriculture, the Nigerian economy suffers from a lack of adequately trained technical personnel. This initiative aims to produce skilled manpower that aligns with modern industry demands.
- National Development: By investing in human capital through vocational training, the government hopes to drive innovation, productivity, and inclusive growth across the country.
What the Package Includes
According to the Education Minister, the TVET initiative covers:
- Free Tuition: All students in technical colleges will no longer be required to pay school fees.
- Accommodation and Feeding: The government will provide free lodging and meals to ensure students can focus on their studies without worrying about basic needs.
- Monthly Stipend: Each student will receive a monthly stipend of ₦22,500 to support their living expenses.
This comprehensive package is expected to make technical education more attractive to young Nigerians, especially those from low-income families who might otherwise be unable to afford formal education.
As part of the broader goals of the TVET project, the federal government has set an ambitious target to train over 7 million youths by the year 2030. The skills to be offered include:
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- Renewable Energy Technologies
- Agriculture and Agro-processing
- Construction and Building Technologies
- Welding and Fabrication
- Plumbing, Carpentry, and other technical trades
To further empower graduates of the program, beneficiaries will receive starter kits aligned with their area of specialization. They will also have access to soft loans and entrepreneurial support to help them set up their own businesses or cporporatives
Unlike past initiatives, the newly launched TVET system is designed to be inclusive and decentralized. This means:
- Local communities and state governments will be involved in its implementation.
- Private sector players and development partners will play a role in shaping training curricula and offering internship opportunities.
- Monitoring and evaluation frameworks will be set up to ensure accountability and effectiveness.
Educational stakeholders, parents, and students have hailed the initiative as a timely intervention. Experts believe that this program, if implemented diligently, could transform Nigeria’s educational and economic landscape.
Dr. Alausa emphasized the importance of collective commitment, stating, “We must all work together—government, private sector, parents, and educators—to make this vision a reality. TVET is the future, and we must equip our youths with the skills they need
This new policy is more than just an education reform—it’s a transformative vision for national development. By investing directly in technical and vocational training, the Federal Government is laying the groundwork for a skilled, empowered, and economically self-reliant generation.
Nigerian youths now have a golden opportunity to acquire relevant skills without financial barriers. As implementation begins, all eyes will be on how effectively this policy translates from paper to practice.
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