In a bid to address the skills gap and diversify Nigeria’s economy, the Federal Government has announced plans to pay citizens to attend technical and vocational schools.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday. He emphasized the need to prioritize vocational education, citing examples from developed countries where skilled tradespeople, such as plumbers and electricians, earn as much as doctors.
“You go to the UK or the US today, a plumber earns more than a doctor. If an electrician in England earns more than a doctor, so what are you talking about here?” Alausa said.
The initiative involves a four-step approach, with the first phase focusing on financial incentives for students enrolling in vocational training. The government has already modeled the payment structure, and further details will be announced soon.
The policy is part of a broader strategy to equip Nigerians with practical skills, reduce unemployment, and enhance the nation’s economic productivity.
