The Federal Government’s delay in paying the monthly ₦22,500 stipends to trainees under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training programme has raised strong concern from the House of Representatives member for Ojo Federal Constituency, Seyi Sowunmi. He warned that the non-payment, which has now lasted for more than a month, is already affecting trainee attendance and threatening the credibility of the initiative.
Sowunmi said reports from several centres, including the Ojo centre, confirm that trainees have not received the ₦22,500 promised to them when the programme started. He explained that many young people depend on the stipend to fund transportation to the various training centres. According to him, “For many of these young people who enrolled for this programme, the monthly stipends are essential for their transportation to their various centres.”
He added that the delay is now discouraging participation. He noted that, “The failure of prompt payment of the monthly stipend is already resulting in declining attendance in some centres. We cannot expect commitment from trainees when the system has not honoured its commitments to them.”
Beyond the trainees, Sowunmi also highlighted that the centres themselves have not received the expected ₦45,000 per trainee needed for operations. He said this lack of financial support is putting pressure on facilitators who are still trying to keep the programme running.
He explained that after reviewing the programme’s objectives and visiting a centre in Ojo, he remains “confident that the TVET programme, if properly implemented, holds significant promise for youth empowerment, skills development, and long-term national competitiveness.” He warned, however, that continued delays could undermine public confidence and urged the government to clear all outstanding trainee stipends and centre payments without further delay.
