The Federal Government has officially launched the TVET application portal, kicking off a bold plan to train five million Nigerian youths in highly sought-after technical and vocational skills. The portal opened on May 31, 2025, and is now accepting free applications from young Nigerians ready to gain hands-on experience in trades that can generate income and create jobs.
Massive Skill Drive Begins: Application Open
Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa revealed this at the official launch in Abuja, saying the program is not just another promise but a fully backed plan with strategic funding, strong implementation frameworks, and multiple partnerships. The goal is simple—equip millions of young Nigerians with relevant, modern-day skills that will help them become employable or start their own businesses.
The TVET initiative is designed to run across 25 trade areas, including:
Cloud computing
Coding
Data analytics
Renewable energy
Construction
Agriculture
Creative arts
Automotive technology
These areas were selected after wide consultations and market research to identify sectors where jobs are growing.
What Applicants Will Get
Anyone who gets into the program will benefit from:
Free training and certification in their chosen field
Starter kits after graduation, such as electrician tools, plumbing kits, or carpentry sets
Soft loans and business support in partnership with the Bank of Industry
Mentorship from skilled artisans, who will receive N30,000 monthly per student they mentor
Training at accredited centres across states, including private institutions and technical colleges
Minister Alausa also confirmed that the program will follow a three-year structure. Training will be available through both federal and state institutions, and certificates will be recognized nationwide.
Full Monitoring and Transparency Assured
To ensure that no one abuses the system, the government will use geofencing technology and NIN verification to monitor student attendance and performance.
All stipends and operational funds will be paid through the NELFUND platform, which has already been used to manage other government funding programs.
Global Best Practice, Nigerian Focus
Alausa stressed that this move follows the path of successful economies like Germany, China, South Korea, and Singapore, where technical skills have powered industrial growth. He explained:
Call for Higher Student Support
At the launch, Prof. Idris Bugaje, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, said TVET should remain under the Ministry of Education and not be transferred to Labour and Employment. He also proposed a minimum monthly stipend of N77,000 for students, saying it would attract more youths and help them stay focused.
Women’s Role Highlighted
Nigeria’s first female mechanic, Sandra Aguebor, also spoke at the event. She urged the government to bring more women into technical roles, especially in automotive and manufacturing. She said her organisation has already trained over 6,000 female mechanics and stressed the power of women in trades.
This is not just another training program. It’s a full-scale plan to create jobs, reduce poverty, and equip Nigerian youths for the demands of a changing global economy. With free access, hands-on mentorship, and post-training tools, the FG’s TVET initiative could be the lifeline many young people have been waiting for.
