By Unyime Uko
In a bold move set to reshape the future of millions of young Nigerians, the Federal Government has declared education in technical colleges completely free.
Starting in August 2025, students enrolled in government-recognised technical colleges across the country will benefit from free tuition, accommodation, daily meals, and a monthly stipend of ₦22,500.
The announcement was made on May 30, 2025, by Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman during a press briefing in Abuja. The initiative aims to revitalise technical education in Nigeria and equip young Nigerians with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
For decades, technical education in Nigeria has been neglected and underfunded despite rising youth unemployment and a dire shortage of skilled workers. The new Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative aims to reverse that trend.
As part of the scheme, 5 million young people will be trained over the following five years in trades such as ICT, data analytics, agriculture, automotive repair, renewable energy, and the creative industry.
To implement success, over 400 training centres have been accredited and 3,600 instructors retrained, with each state expected to provide at least one qualifying institution. Funding disbursements will be tracked biometrically using students’ NINs to ensure transparency.
Building on past successes
This is not Nigeria’s first attempt to reform education from the ground up. The 2004 launch of Universal Basic Education (UBE) significantly broadened access to primary education, particularly in rural areas.
Similarly, the YouWin! programme (2011–2015) trained over 24,000 young entrepreneurs, many of whom now lead successful small businesses.
Now, the new technical college initiative seeks to go further—by reviving long-neglected institutions in towns like Damaturu, Igbo-Ora, and Ugep and transforming them into engines of local development.
The new policy, the government reckons, will reduce school dropout rates, reduce rural-urban migration, and restore pride in skilled trades, among other benefits.
Ultimately, the federal government’s decision to make technical education free is a promise to underserved communities. By removing financial barriers and investing in practical skills, the initiative offers the path to dignity, self-reliance and economic revival. If implemented and monitored rigorously, it could become the turning point for Nigeria’s technical education.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a transformative initiative to make education in technical colleges free starting in August 2025. Students enrolled in these government-recognized institutions will benefit from free tuition, accommodation, daily meals, and a monthly stipend of ₦22,500. Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman revealed the plan, which aims to revive technical education, addressing long-standing neglect that has contributed to high youth unemployment and a shortage of skilled workers.
The initiative is part of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program, targeting the training of 5 million youths in areas like ICT, agriculture, renewable energy, and more over five years. To ensure success, more than 400 training centers have been accredited and instructors retrained. Funding will be tracked biometrically to maintain transparency. The policy draws inspiration from past educational reforms, such as Universal Basic Education and the YouWin! entrepreneurship program, with hopes to further reduce dropout rates and enhance local development in underserved areas by promoting skilled trades and reducing rural-urban migration. This move by the federal government aims to eliminate financial barriers to education and boost self-reliance and economic growth in Nigeria.
