To combat youth unemployment and bolster Nigeria’s skilled workforce, the federal government has rolled out an ambitious, tuition-free Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative, billed to kick-start in September 2025 formally.
Launched by the Ministry of Education, the programme aims to train thousands of Nigerians across 30-plus trades—from auto mechanics and welding to digital media, agriculture, and cosmetology.
The initiative is fully funded by the federal government and promises not only hands-on training but also monthly stipends, startup grants, and access to business loans.
Nigeria faces a critical shortage of skilled labor despite a booming youth population, which the TVET programme targets to close.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, youth unemployment (persons aged 15-24 years-and persons aged 25-34 were the highest at 6.5 percent in Q2, 2024, above the overall national average of 4.3 percent, same time.
And according to the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), “this suggests the youth population is less engaged than the other age groups in the labour force.”
“This is not just about training—it’s about transformation,” a senior education official familiar with the programme said.
“We are building an economy from the grassroots by giving people real, marketable skills—and we’re paying them to learn.”
According to Maruf Tunji Alausa, minister of education, the initiative has firm presidential backing and funding to match.
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What is on offer
The TVET initiative is structured into three main tracks including: Short-Term Certificate (STC) Programme – a six-month course ideal for school leavers and beginners. No prior education is required, only a National Identification Number (NIN) and a Bank Verification Number (BVN). The sexon is Vocational Education & Innovation (VEI) Programme – a one-year course targeted at those with informal training or minimal education. Entry is based on non-formal certifications or prior learning. The third is a Technical College Programme – a three-year academic and vocational programme for students aged 13–20, requiring formal exams like NECO, WASSCE, or NSQ+BECE.
Fields of study range across: technical trades like welding, plumbing, carpentry, electrical installation; automotive like vehicle mechanics, vulcanising, auto-body repair; ICT & Digital, including network installation, hardware repair, digital media. Other sectors of focus include: creative & personal services, including fashion design, hospitality, cosmetology; agriculture, including poultry farming, beekeeping, livestock husbandry; as well as green economy, consisting, solar panel installation and maintenance.
Students get paid to learn
A unique aspect of this programme is the monthly stipend of N22,500, disbursed directly to learners. The funds are managed through NELFund, a government-backed platform previously used for student financing. Authorities say the initiative incorporates free tuition, feeding, accommodation, asides the monthly stipend for each student.
Participants will also receive nationally recognised certifications, along with grants or business starter packs upon graduation. There is also a partnership with the Bank of Industry to offer low-interest loans to graduates aiming to launch businesses.
Training will take place at federal and state technical colleges, accredited private centers, and institutions across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Facilities are equipped with modern tools and industry-grade equipment.
Who can apply?
Any Nigerian who meets the basic criteria—whether with no formal education or with informal skills—can apply via TVET.education.gov.ng. Registration is now open, and spaces are widely expected to fill quickly given the no-cost, high-reward structure of the initiative.
Why it matters
By focusing on real-world skills, TVET could shift Nigeria’s employment landscape. The goal is to empower a new generation not just with education, but with employability and entrepreneurship.
If successful, this could be the most significant youth employment intervention Nigeria has seen in decades—one that trades promises for practical tools and pays the learner in the process.
