By Our Reporter
A Chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Festus Olabode Ola has applauded the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for the successful disbursement of N22,500 stipends to 42,000 students under the Federal Government’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative.
The Senator described the move as a significant milestone in the current administration’s agenda to reposition technical education and empower young Nigerians with employable skills.
The disbursement, which marks the first tranche of payments under the revamped TVET scheme, has been widely welcomed by stakeholders in the education and skills-development sector.
The initiative aims to support trainees enrolled in accredited vocational programmes across the country, ensuring they are able to complete their training without financial hardship.
In a statement issued to journalists on Saturday, Senator Ola commended the Minister of Education for what he termed “a well-coordinated, transparent, and timely rollout of one of the most impactful youth-focused programmes initiated by the Federal Government.”
He noted that the stipend is not merely financial support but a strategic investment in the future of Nigeria’s workforce.
According to him, the payment to 42,000 beneficiaries signals a new chapter in the nation’s education reform efforts, particularly in the area of practical skills acquisition. Senator Ola argued that Nigeria’s future prosperity depends on building a generation of young people equipped with the technical competencies required to thrive in an increasingly industrial and technology-driven world.
“The disbursement of stipends to thousands of TVET students is a clear demonstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to youth empowerment and economic expansion,” Senator Ola stated. “I commend the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Yusuf Alausa, for leading this process with integrity, diligence, and a sense of national purpose. This initiative will ease the financial burden on our students and enable them to focus fully on their technical training.”
Senator Ola further emphasized that the disbursement comes at a time when many Nigerian youths are seeking alternative pathways to employment outside conventional academic routes. He described vocational training as a crucial pillar of development, capable of producing skilled artisans, technicians, innovators, and small-scale entrepreneurs that are essential for national growth.
He also praised the Ministry for extending funding support to more than 600 accredited TVET training centres, noting that strengthening institutional capacity is key to improving the quality of technical education in the country. By funding both students and institutions, the Senator said, the government is adopting a balanced approach that will ensure quality delivery and better learning outcomes.
Officials within the Ministry have indicated that the stipend programme part of the broader TVET reform designed to boost productivity and reduce youth unemployment will continue in phases, with more beneficiaries expected to be captured in subsequent rounds.
Senator Ola urged the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunity, stressing that the training they are receiving could become the foundation for future careers in engineering, manufacturing, ICT, construction, and other technical fields that are in high demand globally.
He reaffirmed his support for policies that expand access to skills, improve educational infrastructure, and promote youth advancement. The Senator also called on state governments, private organizations, and development partners to complement Federal Government efforts by creating more platforms for technical training and apprenticeship.
As the TVET initiative gains momentum nationwide, analysts believe that sustained investment in vocational education will help bridge Nigeria’s skills gap, enhance productivity, and reduce the socioeconomic pressures associated with youth unemployment.
For now, the successful disbursement of stipends to 42,000 students stands as one of the clearest signals that the administration’s education reforms are beginning to deliver tangible benefits for young people across the country.
