With over 13 million younger Nigerians both unemployed or underemployed, the nation is sitting on a demographic time bomb. In response, the Federal Govt has launched an ambitious tuition-free training program to arm its childhood population with high-demand talents.
The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Education, will provide participants with opportunities to learn technical and digital talents whereas providing startup grants and loans upon graduation.
The initiative is anticipated to launch in September 2025, operating at both the federal and state ranges.
“We’re no longer accurate training youths—we’re constructing an economic system from the grassroots by monetising ability acquisition,” says a senior official familiar with the programme.
What’s in it for you?
1. Financial incentives redefining education
- Month-to-month stipend: ₦22,500 paid via NELFund’s biometric-verified platform (linked to NIN/BVN)
- Zero-brand participation: Free tuition, accommodation, and meals at accredited centres nationwide.
- Post-training fortify: Startup grants up to ₦500,000 and Bank of Industry loans at 5% passion
2. Three-track training gadget
The programme is structured into three main tracks: the Short-Time frame Certificate (STC) Programme, Vocational Education and Innovation (VEI) Programme, and Technical Faculty Programme.
Thought the image beneath for the duration of each programme and its requirements, or click on here.
3. High-demand ability areas
- Technical trades: Welding, plumbing, electrical installation
- Inexperienced economic system: Solar panel maintenance, waste management
- Digital sectors: Hardware repair, community installation, digital media
Accredited training community
Over 400 centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones have been approved by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), with curricula aligned to the National Abilities Qualification Framework (NSQF)
Key infrastructure investments:
- ₦18 billion allocated for fashionable gear in the 2024–2025 budget
- Partnerships with German and Chinese language vocational institutes for trainer upskilling
Transparency safeguards
- Biometric attendance systems to forestall ghost participants
- Public dashboard tracking stipend disbursements and graduation rates
Financial impact projections
- 2026–2030 target: Train 2.1 million youths across priority sectors
- GDP enhance: Estimated 4.3% growth in constructing and manufacturing sectors
- Foreign funding: Dangote Community and Shell Nigeria have already dedicated to hiring TVET graduates
- Gender focal point: 40% slots reserved for ladies in male-dominated trades
- Rural reach: Mobile training items deploying to 12 northern states
- Disability inclusion: Signal language interpreters at 78% of centres
How to apply: step-by-step information
- Eligibility: Nigerian residents aged 13 and above (parental consent required for minors)
- Documentation: NIN, BVN, and local authorities identification
- Registration Portal: TVET.education.gov.ng (are living since June 2025)
Nigeria’s pressing childhood unemployment situation is underscored by fresh data from the National Bureau of Statistics, which reveals that unemployment among youths (individuals aged 15-24 years) and individuals aged 25-34 was the highest at 6.5 per cent in 2024Q2, a resolve notably above the national average of 4.3 per cent.
The Nigerian Financial Summit Community (NESG) further emphasises this situation, stating, “this means the childhood population is much less engaged than the opposite age teams in the labour force.”
