The Federal Government has opened applications for the second cohort of its flagship Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Programme, earmarking a N22,500 monthly stipend for participants.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, on Monday.
The development is aimed at reinforcing the ministry’s commitment to equipping Nigerian youth with practical skills that support job creation, entrepreneurship, and national development.
What the Ministry is saying
According to the statement, applications for the new cohort will commence on Monday, 13 April 2026, while interested Nigerians are invited to enrol in the nationwide skills development initiative designed to strengthen technical capacity and address unemployment.
The Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, described the TVET Programme as a strategic intervention aimed at empowering young Nigerians with industry-relevant skills needed to thrive in today’s evolving economy.
- “In strengthening this programme, the Federal Government is investing in the productive capacity of our youth. By providing practical training and recognised certification, we are creating pathways for self-employment, innovation, and long-term economic growth,” Dr Alausa stated.
The Federal Ministry of Education will collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism to enhance training in creative and cultural trades during the programme.
According to the statement, the programme offers intensive six-month and one-year hands-on training in accredited training centres across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
- “Participants will receive a monthly stipend of N22,500 throughout the duration of their training and will be awarded a nationally recognised certification upon successful completion.
- “Training will cover a wide range of high-demand sectors, including construction, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), automotive technology, creative media, agriculture, fashion and garment production, cosmetology, tourism and hospitality, catering services, and leather works, among others,” the statement partly reads.
Applicants must be available for full and consistent participation throughout the training period.
To ensure transparency and accountability, attendance will be monitored using biometric verification systems, and stipends will only be paid to trainees who meet the programme’s attendance requirements.
Applicants will also be required to provide their National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) during the registration process.
Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their applications through the official TVET portal: www.tvet.education.gov.ng, the statement added.
The ministry stressed that the partnership aims to unlock the vast potential of Nigeria’s creative economy while expanding employment opportunities for young people.
Backstory
In December 2025, the Federal Government released N4.7 billion as the first tranche of payments to trainees and accredited centres under the TVET skills development programme.
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this in an announcement made on X.
The update followed months of programme rollout that began in May last year and came as the government accelerated youth-focused skills training to tackle unemployment and strengthen the workforce.
What you should know
The Federal Ministry of Education (FME) had, in 2025, called on vocational training centres, enterprise institutions, and master-craft practitioners across Nigeria to register for accreditation.
- This was to enable them to receive government funding to train candidates under the TVET programme.
- The requirements for accreditation included institutions being registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), adoption of an NSQ-based curriculum, a minimum instructor-to-student ratio, the presence of qualified assessors and quality assurance personnel, and adequate workshop facilities for practical training.
- The programme was designed so that 80% of the TVET curriculum focuses on practical, hands-on training, while the remaining 20% covers classroom theory.
Within one week of the TVET portal going live, the Ministry of Education reported receiving more than 90,000 applications.
The entrance examination conducted in June saw a rise in participation, with candidate numbers increasing from 7,547 in 2024 to 30,000 in 2025—an increase of nearly 300%.
As the TVET rollout progressed, the FME introduced an artisan-led mentorship model across 38 upgraded technical colleges, meaning experienced craftsmen and artisans would mentor trainees.
Grateful to God for been part of this
God bless the federal government
We wish the program will benefit us
Thank God for this great opportunity, God bless the sponsors
The first cohort has not been paid oo since January we started the training
Asuquo I think you should follow up with you coordinator people are being paid even the training center I am attending my coordinator do follow up on payments someone was just paid 4 month through her efforts please do proper follow up with your center thank you.
Happy to be part of this cohort
Excited for this opportunity God bless Nigeria
Thank you for this great opportunity, making my dream to come true, I really appreciate the government of Nigeria for what they are doing for me the youths to become something in life I pray God almighty God bless you all .