The Federal Government has announced a monthly stipend of N45,000 for students enrolled in technical colleges across the country.
The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) today in Abuja.
According to Prof. Bugaje, the stipend is aimed at encouraging more young Nigerians to pursue technical education, acquire relevant skills, and become employable both within and outside the country.
“With this, young people will find it more attractive to come to a technical college, acquire skills qualification, get jobs locally and even beyond the borders of Nigeria,” he said.
He described the development as part of a broader strategy to revive the technical education sector, which he said had witnessed decades of neglect.
“We are at the moment facing what you may call either a resurrection or a rebirth of TVET. During colonial days and the early part of our independence, TVET received attention. But since the 1980s, we have been going down the drains,” Bugaje said.
He revealed that the number of technical colleges in Nigeria has declined significantly over the years, with only 129 currently in operation compared to over 15,000 senior secondary schools.
Prof. Bugaje emphasized that the N45,000 stipend is a grant, not a loan, and students who benefit from it will not be required to repay the funds.
“We want to encourage more people to enroll in technical education. The N45,000 is not as a loan, but a grant. Students who enjoy this are not going to pay back,” he stated.
