In a bold move to combat youth unemployment and equip Nigerians with in-demand skills, the federal government has unveiled a tuition-free Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative, set to formally launch in September 2025. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Education, the programme aims to train thousands of participants across more than 30 vocational and technical fields, including auto mechanics, agriculture, digital media, cosmetology, and solar technology.
Backed by firm presidential support and full federal funding, the initiative promises not only free hands-on training but also monthly stipends of N22,500, accommodation, feeding, and post-training support in the form of grants and low-interest business loans. According to Education Minister Maruf Tunji Alausa, the TVET programme is designed as both a social intervention and an economic transformation strategy. “This is not just about training—it’s about transformation,” a senior education official said. “We are building an economy from the grassroots by giving people real, marketable skills—and we’re paying them to learn.”
The programme is structured into three tracks: a six-month Short-Term Certificate (STC) programme for school leavers and beginners, a one-year Vocational Education & Innovation (VEI) programme for those with informal training, and a three-year Technical College Programme for secondary-level students aged 13 to 20. Admission requirements vary, with some tracks open to Nigerians with no formal education but with a National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN).
Training will take place in federal and state technical colleges, as well as accredited private centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Graduates will receive nationally recognised certifications and have access to starter packs or loans through a partnership with the Bank of Industry. Registration is already open at TVET.education.gov.ng, with authorities encouraging early application due to high anticipated demand. If successfully implemented, the TVET initiative could mark a watershed moment in Nigeria’s fight against unemployment, offering practical skills and a pathway to economic independence for millions of young people.