More Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) trainees may soon be posted closer to their places of residence as the federal government moves to register additional training centres, in addition to the 1,600 centres already approved nationwide. The development follows widespread complaints by trainees over long travel distances and the impact on their ₦22,500 monthly stipend.
TVET trainees have taken to social media, particularly Facebook groups created for the programme, to express frustration over being posted to centres far from their homes. Many complain that daily transportation costs consume most of the stipend meant to support them during training.
Some trainees said they spend thousands of naira daily on transport, while others disclosed that the distance forced them to reject their TVET approvals via the portal dashboard.
The TVET programme, coordinated under the Federal Ministry of Education, is designed to provide tuition free technical and vocational skills training to young Nigerians, alongside a monthly stipend to support participation. The goal is to equip trainees with practical skills for employment and self reliance. However, distance to assigned centres has emerged as a major challenge during implementation.
Several trainees say the long commute affects punctuality and attendance, with some missing sessions entirely due to transport costs. Others noted that relying on family support defeats the purpose of the stipend. The complaints have intensified calls for the government to decentralise training locations and ensure trainees are matched with centres closer to their homes.
According to programme information, the federal government has already approved about 1,600 accredited TVET training centres across the country. These centres include federal and state technical colleges, vocational enterprise institutions, and private skills acquisition centres that meet required standards. Authorities have now begun registering additional centres to expand coverage and improve access.
Expanding the number of centres is also aimed at improving course completion. Programme guidelines show that TVET training follows structured curricula regulated by relevant bodies, with emphasis on hands on learning and industry relevant skills. Reducing travel distance is expected to lower dropout rates linked to fatigue, cost, and irregular attendance.
The TVET framework also includes completion focused incentives such as recognised certification and, in some cases, starter packs or take off support loan and grant after training. These measures are designed to keep trainees engaged until the end of their programmes and help them transition into work or self employment.
As registration of new centres in 2026 continues, postings are expected to increasingly consider proximity to trainees’ residences. Stakeholders say the adjustment reflects lessons from early implementation and is intended to ease financial pressure, improve participation, and ensure trainees can complete their training without avoidable hardship.
