FG offers financial incentives to Nigerians to enroll in technical, vocational schools

• The second stage involves paying dissertation fees for schools to enable them to earn from tuition and expand infrastructure.

The minister of education, Tunji Alausa, has announced the federal government’s plan to incentivize Nigerians to acquire technical and vocational skills.

The minister revealed this during his appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television program, explaining that the government aims to boost vocational skills and economic growth.

Alausa emphasised the importance of diversifying Nigeria’s economy and addressing skill gaps through strategic initiatives.

He noted that in countries like the UK and US, skilled workers like plumbers and electricians earn more than doctors, highlighting the potential benefits of technical education.

Alausa outlined a four-step approach to implementing technical and vocational education, starting with paying students to attend schools.

The second stage involves paying dissertation fees for schools to enable them to earn from tuition and expand infrastructure.

“The third step is what we call the master craft person,” Alausa said, explaining that this is where students learn practical skills.

The minister emphasized the importance of hands-on training, stating that success is 20% policy and 90% implementation.

To achieve this, the government will pre-qualify master craft persons from various industries and provide quality assurance for training.

The government will also recruit 774 performance monitor officers to ensure students receive proper training.

Alausa announced the establishment of three instructional centers: skill training centers, vocational enterprise institutes, and state and federal technical colleges.

These centers will offer six-month training programs for individuals who have dropped out of school or lack formal education.

The minister highlighted the importance of labor gap analysis in determining the skills needed for the program.

The government will also focus on emerging skills like CNG conversion, solar energy, and mechanized farming.

Speaking on the last stage, Alausa said the ministry would provide entrepreneurial grants to trainees at the end of their program.

The minister said President Bola Tinubu directed him to work with the Bank of Industry’s CEO to facilitate single-digit credits for trainees.

He added that Nigeria’s educational system is transitioning from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy, as seen in other developed countries.