Federal Government Plans Monthly ₦45,000 Stipends for Students (Lists Recipients)
The Nigerian administration has unveiled plans to subsidize students attending technical colleges nationwide, offering a monthly stipend of ₦45,000. This initiative, disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, in a recent interview, aims to stimulate interest in technical education, reportedly a dwindling interest over the years.
President Bola Tinubu's government has set aside ₦120 billion for this new Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative. The funds will be channelled through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). Bugaje advocated for this move, citing the importance of technical training as a means for graduates to secure local employment or find opportunities beyond Nigeria's borders.
He pointed out that the decrease in the popularity of technical and vocational education necessitates revitalization and increased enrollment in technical education. According to Bugaje, the ₦45,000 stipend is not a loan but a grant, meaning that students receiving it will not be required to repay the funds. This gesture aims to attract more individuals to technical education.
This strategic investment in technical education is intended to facilitate the development of a skilled workforce, reduce unemployment rates, and promote economic growth. The government's ambition is to repurpose the technical education sector, heralding what is effectively a revival or renaissance of TVET.
Interestingly, during the colonial period and early post-independence days, TVET received attention. However, there has been a significant decline since the 1980s, resulting in a reduction of technical colleges from 129 at present, compared to the 15,000 senior secondary schools in Nigeria.
- Despite the decline in technical and vocational education over the years, President Tinubu's administration in Nigeria has earmarked ₦120 billion for a revitalization of this sector through the new Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative.
- The funds for this project will be disbursed via the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
- The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, advocated for this move, emphasizing the importance of technical training as a means for graduates to secure employment locally or find opportunities abroad.
- In a bid to attract more individuals to technical education, the Nigerian administration has unveiled a monthly stipend of ₦45,000 for students attending technical colleges nationwide, which will be given as a grant, not a loan.
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