By Ene Rebecca
July 20, 2026
The Federal Government has announced plans to eliminate tuition fees for students enrolled in Federal Technical Colleges as part of efforts to strengthen technical and vocational education across Nigeria.
The initiative, introduced under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme, is aimed at increasing enrolment in technical institutions while equipping more young Nigerians with practical and industry-relevant skills. According to the government, the policy is intended to make technical education more accessible and improve employment opportunities for graduates.
The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Professor Idris Bugaje, said the reforms form part of a broader strategy by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revitalise the country’s technical education system. He noted that technical colleges, which were once central to skills development in Nigeria, have experienced a decline in enrolment over the years as conventional secondary schools became more dominant.
Beyond the removal of tuition fees, the Federal Government said students enrolled in the programme will receive a monthly stipend of ₦45,000, describing the payment as a grant rather than a loan. Beneficiaries will not be required to repay the funds. The government also plans to cover training costs, certification fees and payments for instructors supervising students during industrial training.
Officials expressed confidence that the incentives will encourage more young Nigerians to pursue technical and vocational education, helping to address skills shortages while preparing graduates for employment opportunities within Nigeria and abroad. The reforms are expected to support the government’s broader objective of expanding access to quality technical education and promoting national economic development through a more skilled workforce.
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