Education Bonanza! FG Begins ₦45k Monthly Payout To Students — Details Inside

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to begin paying a monthly stipend of ₦45,000 to students enrolled in technical colleges across the country.

This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Professor Idris Bugaje, during a media briefing in Abuja. He explained that the initiative aims to boost interest in technical and vocational education.

According to Prof. Bugaje, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has set aside a ₦120 billion grant to support students under the newly launched Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme. The funds will be disbursed through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

He noted that interest in technical and vocational education has declined significantly over the years, stressing the urgent need to revive the sector and encourage greater enrollment in technical schools.

“In this way, young Nigerians will see technical colleges as a more appealing option, allowing them to earn skills certifications, secure local jobs, and even seek opportunities abroad,” Bugaje said.

He further described the current move as a “rebirth” or “resurrection” of TVET in Nigeria, recalling that the sector once thrived during colonial times and the early years of independence. However, since the 1980s, it has suffered neglect, resulting in a drastic drop in the number of technical colleges—from over 129 to just a fraction, compared to more than 15,000 senior secondary schools nationwide.

Bugaje emphasized that the ₦45,000 monthly stipend is a grant, not a loan, meaning beneficiaries will not be required to repay it.

“We want to encourage more young Nigerians to choose technical education,” he concluded.