Federal government equips 38 technical colleges and launches free TVET training

The Federal Government has equipped 38 federal and state technical colleges across Nigeria and started a free technical and vocational education programme, according to BusinessDay. The scheme provides trainees with tuition, instructional materials, monthly stipends and starter packs to aid their transition to self-employment.

The initiative is funded under the Innovation Development for Effective Acquisition of Skills Project, a World Bank-supported programme. Blessing Ehi Ogwu, national project coordinator of the project, announced the funding during an inspection of the project centre at the Federal Science and Technical College, Orozo, Abuja. She said the government has funded and equipped 20 federal and 18 state technical colleges to strengthen practical skills acquisition and improve employment opportunities for young people.

Olatunji Odewunmi, national project monitoring officer in the Minister's Office at the Federal Ministry of Education, noted that Nigeria has more than 1,000 technical and vocational education and training centres, including about 140 skills training centres in the Federal Capital Territory. He explained that the programme covers tuition, training fees, instructional materials, accommodation for boarders, monthly stipends and starter packs for graduates. Attendance is monitored biometrically, and trainees who miss the required threshold lose their stipends and eligibility for starter packs.

Stella Uhuegbu, principal of Federal Science and Technical College Orozo, said the college follows the revised curriculum that requires 70 per cent practical and 30 per cent theoretical training. The college now has newly built workshops equipped for six trades: information and communication technology, automobile mechanics, auto-electrical repairs, catering, garment making and GSM repairs. More than 1,000 regular students and over 1,000 short-term trainees attend the six-month programmes.

Trainees receive certificates on graduation and a starter pack to help launch their businesses. Some beneficiaries, such as catering trainee Modupe Osundeyi, have already begun earning income from the skills they acquired. A female trainee in the automobile programme called for more equipment and expansion to rural areas, and encouraged other girls to join traditionally male-dominated trades.

Project monitoring officers visit the centres regularly to assess training activities and ensure proper use of government resources. Ogwu expressed confidence that the free technical education programme will continue under the current administration and urged Nigerians to support its sustainability.