Nigeria Makes Technical College Free. Tuition, Housing, Meals, and Monthly Stipend Included. In a bold effort to reshape the future of education and employment in Nigeria, the Federal Government has announced that students enrolled in public technical colleges will now receive free tuition, accommodation, meals, and a monthly stipend of ₦22,500. The move is part of a larger national strategy to prioritize skill-based education and prepare young Nigerians for a rapidly changing job market.
The initiative was unveiled by Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, during the launch of the government’s new Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) plan. With this, the administration signals a strong commitment to equipping the next generation with the practical, job-ready skills needed in the economy of today—and tomorrow.
Why This Matters
Nigeria has long struggled with a mismatch between its educational outcomes and labor market demands. Thousands of university graduates leave school each year with degrees—but without employable skills. The new policy aims to address this gap directly.
Under the new TVET initiative, students will be trained in a variety of trades, including carpentry, welding, plumbing, electrical work, ICT maintenance, and more. The goal is ambitious: to equip five million young Nigerians with industry-relevant, hands-on skills by 2030.
Both federal and state-owned technical colleges are included in the scheme, with student registration expected to open soon via the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) portal.
Beyond Certificates: A Focus on Employability
The core message of this reform is clear: skills over paper qualifications. The program is embedded in a national skills development framework designed in collaboration with industry, ensuring alignment with real market needs.
Already, more than 3,600 technical teachers and instructors have undergone retraining, and accreditation efforts are underway to ensure both public and private training centres meet national standards.
But the support doesn’t stop at graduation. The government has promised to provide access to start-up grants, microloans, and equipment starter kits for students looking to launch small businesses after training—helping them transition from classroom to career without delay.
Challenging Old Perceptions
For many years, technical and vocational training in Nigeria has been unfairly viewed as a fallback option rather than a first choice. Education Minister Alausa says that must change.
“We want young people and their families to see TVET not as an alternative, but as a direct route to success,” he said during the launch. “This isn’t just a government project—it’s a national shift in how we define opportunity.”
Indeed, countries like Germany, China, and South Korea have built strong economies on the back of robust vocational training systems. Nigeria appears ready to follow that model.
Looking Ahead
The TVET initiative is not a standalone project. It is part of a broader effort involving state governments, educational institutions, the private sector, and international development partners. Together, they aim to build a scalable, sustainable system that reaches communities across the country.
Given that over 70% of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 30, the stakes could hardly be higher. This initiative, if implemented effectively, could turn the country’s youth bulge into a skills boom—transforming demographics into dividends.
For now, it marks a hopeful and practical step toward solving two of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges: youth unemployment and a weak vocational education sector.
It remains to be seen how quickly and effectively this vision can be translated into real change. But for thousands of young Nigerians, this program may be more than a policy—it could be the gateway to a future built with both head and hands.