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Trainees under the Federal Government’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative have asked authorities to urgently pay outstanding stipends, citing hardship and unmet promises linked to the programme.
In an open letter addressed to the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and other stakeholders, beneficiaries expressed frustration over delays in the payment of the ₦22,500 monthly stipend.
The trainees said while a few beneficiaries received payments for one or two months, most have not received any stipend since the programme began. They added that rising transport fares and living costs have made it difficult to continue attending training.
They also raised concerns over the lack of clear information about the end-of-training support package meant to help them start work or small businesses after completion.
According to them, the uncertainty has placed many participants under financial pressure, despite the time and effort already invested in the programme.
“We urge the government not to fail us. Pay all stipends due, clarify the training package, and fulfil the promises made to Nigerian youths,” the letter stated.
The TVET initiative, introduced to tackle youth unemployment and promote skills development, enrolled thousands of young Nigerians across different technical fields, with the promise of both training and financial support.
However, complaints over delayed payments and administrative issues have continued, with more trainees speaking out.
Meanwhile, the situation comes as a new batch of applicants awaits admission into the programme, with many monitoring their dashboards and registration portal as the April 8 registration date approaches.
This has raised concerns about admitting new trainees while issues affecting current beneficiaries remain unresolved.
Observers say resolving these concerns quickly will be important to maintain trust in the programme, especially as more young Nigerians turn to vocational training for opportunities.
