Hope Ajayi 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nearly 250,000 Nigerians are receiving vocational training at more than 1,200 accredited centres under the Federal Government’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme, as authorities expand efforts to equip young people with employable skills.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday during a meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Polytechnic and Higher Technical Education, chaired by Fuad Kayode Laguda.
Alausa said the programme’s latest application portal attracted nearly 1.4 million applications in two weeks, compared with 1.3 million applications recorded during the first cohort in 10 days. The figures indicate strong demand for the scheme, which aims to equip Nigerians with practical skills that can support employment and entrepreneurship. Nearly 250,000 Nigerians Enrolled in Federal TVET Programme
Under the programme, each trainee receives a monthly stipend of ₦30,000, while accredited training centres receive ₦50,000 per student each month.
The minister said biometric attendance verification had been introduced to strengthen accountability and ensure payments reflected actual participation. He added that payments to trainees and training centres were up to date as of September.
Alausa said beneficiaries would receive starter packs and equipment after completing their training to help them establish businesses and earn a livelihood. The support is intended to enable graduates to put their newly acquired skills to practical use rather than leave training without the equipment needed to begin working.
The minister also disclosed that 36,000 Nigerians were receiving training through a Digital Technology Academy in fields including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software development, machine learning and quantum computing. According to Alausa, participants would have access to international learning platforms and certification opportunities.
The ministry is also improving training infrastructure, upgrading instructors’ capacity and developing a TVET job portal to connect graduates with employers. Alausa said training at federal technical colleges and one designated state technical college in each state was free, with the Federal Government covering the associated costs.
The measures form part of efforts to expand technical and vocational education and provide young Nigerians with practical alternatives and pathways into the labour market. The programme’s long-term impact will depend partly on the quality of training, the relevance of courses to employers’ needs and graduates’ ability to secure work or establish sustainable businesses.
Lawmakers urged to monitor implementation. Alausa urged lawmakers to raise awareness of the programme and visit accredited training centres in their constituencies to monitor its implementation.
Laguda reaffirmed the House committee’s commitment to working with the ministry through legislative oversight and collaboration to strengthen technical education and expand opportunities for young Nigerians.
The government has positioned the TVET programme as part of its broader effort to improve access to vocational skills training, support entrepreneurship and strengthen the country’s workforce.
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