With over 13 million younger Nigerians both unemployed or underemployed, the nation is sitting on a demographic time bomb. In response, the Federal Authorities has launched an formidable tuition-free coaching program to arm its youth inhabitants with high-demand expertise.
The Technical and Vocational Schooling and Coaching (TVET) initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Schooling, will present individuals with alternatives to study technical and digital expertise whereas providing startup grants and loans upon commencement.
The initiative is anticipated to launch in September 2025, working at each the federal and state ranges.
“We’re not simply coaching youths—we’re constructing an economic system from the grassroots by monetising ability acquisition,” says a senior official accustomed to the programme.
What’s in it for you?
1. Monetary incentives redefining training
- Month-to-month stipend: ₦22,500 paid through NELFund’s biometric-verified platform (linked to NIN/BVN)
- Zero-cost participation: Free tuition, lodging, and meals at accredited centres nationwide.
- Submit-training help: Startup grants as much as ₦500,000 and Financial institution of Business loans at 5% curiosity
2. Three-track coaching system
The programme is structured into three foremost tracks: the Brief-Time period Certificates (STC) Programme, Vocational Schooling and Innovation (VEI) Programme, and Technical Faculty Programme.
See the picture beneath throughout every programme and its necessities, or click on right here.
3. Excessive-demand ability areas
- Technical trades: Welding, plumbing, electrical set up
- Inexperienced economic system: Photo voltaic panel upkeep, waste administration
- Digital sectors: {Hardware} restore, community set up, digital media
Accredited coaching community
Over 400 centres throughout Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones have been authorized by the Nationwide Board for Technical Schooling (NBTE), with curricula aligned to the Nationwide Expertise Qualification Framework (NSQF)
Key infrastructure investments:
- ₦18 billion allotted for contemporary tools within the 2024–2025 price range
- Partnerships with German and Chinese language vocational institutes for coach upskilling
Transparency safeguards
- Biometric attendance techniques to stop ghost individuals
- Public dashboard monitoring stipend disbursements and commencement charges
Financial impression projections
- 2026–2030 goal: Practice 2.1 million youths throughout precedence sectors
- GDP enhance: Estimated 4.3% progress in building and manufacturing sectors
- International funding: Dangote Group and Shell Nigeria have already dedicated to hiring TVET graduates
- Gender focus: 40% slots reserved for girls in male-dominated trades
- Rural attain: Cellular coaching models deploying to 12 northern states
- Incapacity inclusion: Signal language interpreters at 78% of centres
The way to apply: step-by-step information
- Eligibility: Nigerian residents aged 13 and above (parental consent required for minors)
- Documentation: NIN, BVN, and native authorities identification
- Registration Portal: TVET.training.gov.ng (stay since June 2025)
Nigeria’s urgent youth unemployment drawback is underscored by latest knowledge from the Nationwide Bureau of Statistics, which reveals that unemployment amongst youths (individuals aged 15-24 years) and individuals aged 25-34 was the very best at 6.5 per cent in 2024Q2, a determine notably above the nationwide common of 4.3 per cent.
The Nigerian Financial Summit Group (NESG) additional emphasises this situation, stating, “this implies the youth inhabitants is much less engaged than the opposite age teams within the labour drive.”