By Peace Erewunmi

The Federal Government has commenced the payment of outstanding stipends to beneficiaries of its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme following complaints over delays that affected trainees across the country.

The payments are expected to provide relief to thousands of participants who had earlier expressed concerns about the non-payment of their monthly allowances despite completing or actively participating in their vocational training. The TVET initiative is designed to equip young Nigerians with practical skills while providing financial support to ease transportation and other training-related expenses.

While many beneficiaries have confirmed receiving their stipends, others have called on the government to address the recurring delays and establish a more efficient payment system. They argued that timely disbursement of allowances is essential to helping trainees remain committed to the programme without unnecessary financial hardship.

Some participants also urged the authorities to expedite the issuance of certificates and the distribution of starter packs promised under the initiative. According to them, these benefits are critical to enabling graduates to apply the skills acquired during training and become self-reliant.

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening technical and vocational education as a key strategy for reducing youth unemployment, promoting entrepreneurship and developing a skilled workforce. Officials expressed optimism that continued improvements to the programme would enhance its impact and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.