Nigeria’s federal government has announced intentions to begin providing a monthly stipend of ₦45,000 to students enrolled in technical institutes across the country.
The goal is to encourage interest in technical education, according to Prof. Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), who made this revelation in an interview with Abuja newsmen.
He claimed that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) would be used to disburse the ₦120 billion grant that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had set aside to assist students under the new Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program.
He bemoaned the need to boost enrollment in technical school and revitalize the enthusiasm in technical and vocational education, which has been waning over time.
According to Naija News, Bugaje defended the decision by arguing that students enrolled in technical education programs would gain qualifications, find employment both domestically and abroad, and develop new skills.
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He said, “With this, young people will find it more attractive to come to a technical college, acquire skills qualifications, and get jobs locally and even beyond the borders of Nigeria.
“This way, the whole sector is being repositioned. We are at the moment facing what you may call either a resurrection or a rebirth of TVET.
“During colonial days and the early part of our independence, TVET had received attention.
”But, since the 1980s, we have been going down the drain. That is why the number of technical colleges has dropped, from 129 at the moment, compared to 15,000 senior secondary schools in Nigeria.
“The N45,000 is not as a loan but a grant. Students who enjoy this are not going to pay back. We want to encourage more people to enroll in technical education.”
Beneficiaries of Federal Science and Technical Colleges (FSTCs) Stipend
These institutions are established by the Federal Government and are spread across various states:
- FSTC Yaba – Lagos State
- FSTC Ilesa – Osun State
- FSTC Kafanchan – Kaduna State
- FSTC Uyo – Akwa Ibom State
- FSTC Otukpo – Benue State
- FSTC Awka – Anambra State
- FSTC Jalingo – Taraba State
- FSTC Tungbo – Bayelsa State
- FSTC Doma – Nasarawa State
- FSTC Zuru – Kebbi State
- FSTC Michika – Adamawa State
- FSTC Ohanso – Abia State
- FSTC Orozo – FCT, Abuja
- FSTC Uromi – Edo State
- FSTC Aba – Abia State
- FSTC Ikare-Akoko – Ondo State
- FSTC Ijebu-Imusin – Ogun State
- FSTC Usi-Ekiti – Ekiti State
- FSTC Shiroro – Niger State
- FSTC Ahoada – Rivers State
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