The Federal Government has intensified efforts for structural reforms to revive technical and vocational education with a bold move to incentivise learning. Part of the plan is to pay students who enrol in vocational schools to motivate them, jerk up enrolment figures, buck the trend of mass emigration by artisans and skilled workers and ultimately make technical education attractive. While the idea is to transition from a “resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy,” sustainability, effective and proper implementation have been identified to be key, DAMOLA KOLA-DARE reports.
The imperative of technical and vocational training
The importance of technical and vocational education cannot be understated in advancing national development. Experts believe that it significantly contributes to societal and economic progress through the production of a skilled and competent workforce, boosting productivity and innovation, and responding to demands of the labour market.
They said in many developing countries, there is a mismatch between the skills required by industries and those possessed by job seekers, thus creating a huge gap.
Technical and vocational education addresses this issue by focusing on in-demand market skills, therefore, contributing to reduce unemployment. The alignment of specialised education with industry needs creates a workforce of skilled personnel who can immediately contribute to the economy.
The growing demand for skilled labour in sectors such as manufacturing, IT, healthcare and renewable energy, among others, makes it imperative to prioritise technical and vocational training.
They affirmed that such specialised learning not only results in developing individual skills, but fosters rapid economic growth with skilled personnel, who can add value to industries.
As the world continues to change at breakneck pace, nations poised for greater economic development will need to invest in and strengthen technical education and vocational learning to secure a brighter future and rank among the comity of economically vibrant countries.
N120 billion incentive to inspire enrolees
Therefore, when Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, revealed last week at a ministerial briefing on plans by the Federal Government to pay students, who enrol in technical and vocational schools, stakeholders and observers saw it as an avenue to drive an industrial revolution.
The minister affirmed that incentivising vocational and technical education for students was part of efforts to revive such. Thus, the ministry is poised to bridge Nigeria’s human capacity gaps through vocational skills aimed at boosting economic growth.
According to him, plans were underway to significantly increase enrolment in vocational schools through financial incentives for students and implement structural reforms to engender effective learning outcomes.
The minister, while emphasising the importance of vocational and technical education, noted that President Bola Tinubu had approved N120 billion as a startup for students’ entrepreneurial mode.
He stated that the country is currently focusing on a value chain approach to technical education, ensuring that practical training is provided to artisans.
According to him, students will undergo a dual-mode training system, where they will spend three days in school, one day for didactic training and one day in the workshop.
The minister said: “We would pay students to go to those schools. We’ve modelled how much we’re going to pay them when we roll the programme out. We’ll be announcing that soon.”
Alausa highlighted the government’s efforts to reverse the ongoing emigration trend (japa) of Nigeria’s skilled workers to foreign countries in search of the proverbial greener pastures.
He stressed the need to revive vocational education in addressing mass emigration, adding that plumbers earn more than doctors in the United Kingdom or the United States today.
He, nevertheless, underscored the significance of hands-on training, stressing that 80 per cent of vocational education will focus on practical skills, while 20 per cent will be dedicated to the theoretical aspect of learning. The minister also disclosed that the government plans to engage master crafts persons from large, medium and small industries to mentor trainees. He said a nationwide monitoring system will ensure quality training.
“We’ll ask you how many students you can train, 10 students? We’ll give you 10 students and we’ll pay for each. We’ll pay you for each of those students every month.
“To further ensure quality training, the ministry will recruit 774 performance monitor officers, one for each local government to oversee students’ progress.
“The education ministry has developed a framework for vocational education that categorises institutions into skill training centres, vocational enterprise institutes, and state/federal technical colleges.
“For the skill training centre, it will be six-month training and that will be open to people who dropped out of school, didn’t finish primary school, or didn’t complete their JSS,” Alausa stated.
He noted that the curriculum will be tailored to meet labour market needs based on a comprehensive skills gap analysis.
Alausa said President Bola Tinubu has mandated him to work closely with the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry to provide single-digit loans for trainees.
“Our educational system is transitioning from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy,” the minister added.
With the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) regulating the schools, vocational schools in Nigeria focus on training students in practical skills leading to immediate employment, entrepreneurship or advanced technical education.
These institutions admit junior or senior secondary school leavers; they offer certifications in various fields namely, welding, carpentry, electric work, plumbing, photography, building technology, fashion, Information and Communication Technology, among others.
Unending mass exodus/japa
The trend of mass exodus of workers both skilled and unskilled from the country seems unabating.
Observers argued that this is evident across all sectors of the workforce. Many are believed to be desperate for a better life and the proverbial greener pastures. Other reasons attributed for the mass movement are mass unemployment, unfavorable working conditions, wide gap between the rich and poor, bad economy, insecurity among others.
Statistics revealed that the youth and young professionals in the country are the highest number of persons migrating abroad. The emigrant believes that other countries provide better security of lives, better property, better working environment, better pay and welfare.
It is evident that the mass exodus of Nigerians continues to affect the labour force negatively. Checks showed that in Africa and in particular Nigeria, migration had risen steadily in the past two decades.
Nevertheless, the Federal Government’s resolve to make technical and vocational training attractive is seen as a first step towards stemming the japa syndrome.
Financial incentive innovative as game-changer
Stakeholders argued that monetary incentive to would-be enrolees in vocational schools would be a game-changer if efforts are made towards its sustainability.
For Vice Chancellor of African School of Economics, Abuja, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, once the Federal Government starts giving incentives to would-be students, it will be sustainable. He said that funding will not be a barrier “if the political will remains rock-solid”. The don added that there are development partners that the government can collaborate with to make the initiative sustainable.
He said: “I think it is a strategic move to revive interest in technical and vocational education, a core need of the moment. The reality is that Nigeria needs job creators, not job seekers. TVE specialises in equipping learners with such functional education that makes them self-reliant, self-dependent with hands-on skills and vocations.
“The move is commendable and I wish the initiative is successful. When the youth are functionally educated, functional education being the type of education that imbues learners with practical skills and knowledge that can be used in real life, individuals and the society at large benefit from it.
“If political will is there, funding it won’t be a problem at all. People first thought education was underfunded and when NELFUND was introduced, several thousands of Nigerian students have benefitted and are still benefiting from it.
“I believe funding it won’t be a problem, especially if the political will remain rock-solid. Besides, there are development partners that the government can collaborate with. Everyone is concerned with nipping the unemployment problem in the bud and this is one of the innovative ways of addressing it: encourage interest in and passion for Technical and Vocational Education.”
CONUA: clear roadmap needed for long-term funding
While applauding the government for an “initiative that has the potential to attract more students to vocational training”, the National President of Congress of University Academics (CONUA), Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, noted that to avoid policy inconsistency and potential abandonment, the Federal Government must provide a clear roadmap on how it will be financed over time without negatively impacting other sectors of education, particularly the university sector.
According to him, a major concern is the long-term financial viability of this initiative, especially given Nigeria’s past funding patterns in the education sector.
He opined that the Federal Government has been found to have struggled to meet various financial obligations in the education sector, including university funding, earned academic allowances, and outstanding salaries.
Sunmonu said the introduction of stipends for vocational students raises fundamental questions: “Will this policy be backed by a sustainable budgetary framework? Will it not further reduce and/or strain the already overstretched educational budget?”
In a statement on behalf of the union, he said: “As a union, we recognise the importance of technical education in fostering skills development, reducing unemployment and enhancing economic productivity. However, while this initiative has the potential to attract more students to vocational training, CONUA believes that certain critical considerations must be addressed to ensure its effectiveness, sustainability and alignment with national educational priorities.
“While financial incentives may increase enrollment, CONUA is of the opinion that funding alone does not guarantee quality learning. The effectiveness of technical and vocational education depends on properly equipping the training institutions with modern facilities and technology. In addition, adequate and well-trained instructors must be provided in order to impart relevant skills. Finally, there must be strong handshake with the industry so as to provide hands-on experience, apprenticeships, and employment pathways for graduates.
“CONUA firmly believes that technical and university educations are complementary. While CONUA acknowledges that the FG is trying to promote vocational education through this commendable policy, it must however not come at the expense of university education, which remains critical for national development, research, and innovation.
“It is for the aforementioned reasons that CONUA urges the federal government to adopt a balanced approach that strengthens all levels of education rather than creating funding disparities.”
Proper monitoring, alignment with industries key
A former Imota Students’ Union Director of Finance, Jimoh Wahab, noted that for it to work long-term, there must be a clear financial framework, proper monitoring and alignment with industries that can absorb skilled workers.
He said to make the initiative sustainable, the government should partner with private sector players who have a direct interest in skilled labour and workforce development. Wahab also urged the government to provide incentives like tax breaks or policy support to encourage private-sector participation.
“The idea of paying Nigerians who enrol in technical and vocational schools is a strategic move to revive technical education. It could motivate students, especially those from low-income backgrounds, to pursue practical skills rather than just academic degrees. Given Nigeria’s high unemployment rate, a stronger focus on vocational training could help bridge the skills gap and make graduates more employable.
However, sustainability is a major concern. Education in Nigeria is already underfunded, with poor infrastructure, low teacher salaries, and inconsistent funding for existing programmes. If the government does not have a clear funding strategy—such as partnerships with the private sector or dedicated levies—this initiative could become another short-lived policy,” he said.
NAPTAN: it is the way to go
Deputy National President National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, hailed the Federal Government for the initiative. He urged the government to create a yearly budget for it, adding that it is imperative to encourage students to attend vocational schools because enrollment is discouragingly low.
Ogunbanjo stressed the need to support the government on the initiative, noting that it is key to also fully equip the schools with functional facilities to aid learning.
“We need to be intentional about technical and vocational education. It is a good move by the government. No matter how small, the stipend will be an encouragement because enrolment is so low. The states should also replicate this, and not leave it only for the Federal Government. Sustainability is important and the government should create a budget for it every year, while ensuring the institutions have modern and standard facilities and equipment to boost learning. It is important to encourage the government to start and we hope it is sustained,” he said.
