kakalistiq.com reports that Comrade Giwa Muritala Omotola-Moore, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State on the Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent initiative to revamp technical education in Nigeria, describing it as “a bold step toward national transformation.”
The Epe-born Omotola-Moore was reacting to the recent announcement by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) that students enrolled in technical colleges across the country will now receive a monthly stipend of ₦45,000. The initiative, aimed at encouraging enrollment and reducing the long-standing stigma around technical and vocational education, has been widely celebrated.
In an interview, Omotola-Moore expressed deep appreciation to the President for what he called “an unprecedented and visionary move” that is set to reposition Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nigeria.
“For years, technical education has been underfunded, overlooked, and even misunderstood,” he noted. “This new policy is not just a financial gesture; it’s a powerful message to Nigerian youths that technical skills are vital, relevant, and respected.”
He emphasized that the monthly stipend, structured as a grant, not a loan, will significantly boost student morale and participation, especially among young Nigerians seeking alternative pathways to economic independence.
“This is a game-changer,” Omotola-Moore stated. “The stipend will not only reduce the financial burden on students and their families, but it will also serve as an incentive to attract more young people to pursue technical skills that are in high demand both locally and globally.”
He pointed out that the dwindling number of technical colleges in the country over the years has created a vacuum in the labour market, with industries often forced to look abroad for skilled technicians. The stipend program, he argued, is a timely intervention that aligns with President Tinubu’s broader economic and social reform agenda.
“This is a deliberate move to tackle youth unemployment and revive industries with a ready-made workforce,” he said. “President Tinubu understands that no country can achieve sustainable growth without empowering its people with relevant skills.”
Omotola-Moore also urged all stakeholders, including state governments, educational institutions, private sector partners, and community leaders, to rise to the occasion by creating awareness, strengthening technical institutions, and ensuring transparency in the implementation of the stipend policy.
“As we celebrate this landmark decision, we must also do the hard work of turning classrooms into innovation hubs and training centers into launchpads for successful careers,” he added.
He concluded by reaffirming Lagos State’s readiness, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to support and amplify federal initiatives aimed at educational reform. “We in Lagos are ready. The President has set the tone, and it is now our collective responsibility to echo that message across every state in the country.”
With this bold move, President Bola Tinubu has ignited new hope for technical education in Nigeria, opening the doors of opportunity for a new generation of skilled, confident, and globally competitive Nigerian youth.
