By Paul Joseph
The Federal Government has commenced the payment of outstanding stipends to beneficiaries of Batch A of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme, following widespread complaints over delayed payments and an investigative report by Starnews NG that highlighted controversies surrounding the scheme.
The commencement of payments comes after months of uncertainty for many Batch A participants, some of whom completed the programme without receiving several months’ worth of stipends, while others reportedly received no payment at all.
The TVET programme, designed to equip Nigerians with practical vocational and technical skills to boost employment and entrepreneurship, has in recent months faced criticism from participants over payment delays and operational challenges.
Earlier in the week, several Batch B beneficiaries who spoke with Starnews NG expressed concerns that the programme’s implementation had been undermined by irregular stipend payments and an unfavourable training schedule.
According to the trainees, reports from Batch A participants about prolonged delays in receiving their monthly allowances, a tight training schedule and the resulting financial hardship discouraged many new beneficiaries from attending training sessions consistently, while others reportedly withdrew from the programme altogether.
Several beneficiaries also complained that the training timetable was too demanding, making it difficult for participants to combine the programme with other income-generating activities or personal commitments.
The trainees said the prolonged payment delays had affected morale, as many struggled to afford transportation and other basic expenses while waiting for stipends that did not arrive on schedule. They added that the experiences of Batch A participants discouraged many members of Batch B from attending training regularly.
Some beneficiaries welcomed the commencement of payments to Batch A but urged the Federal Government to institutionalise prompt and regular disbursement of stipends to restore confidence in the programme.
They also called for a review of the training schedule to make it more flexible and responsive to the realities faced by participants, many of whom rely on daily income to support themselves and their families.
The latest payments are expected to bring relief to many Batch A graduates who had waited several months after completing the programme. However, some beneficiaries said they were still awaiting payment and appealed to the relevant authorities to ensure that no eligible participant is left behind.
Stakeholders believe that addressing payment bottlenecks and improving programme implementation will be crucial to achieving the TVET initiative’s objective of reducing unemployment by equipping young Nigerians with marketable vocational and technical skills.
While the commencement of payments has been welcomed as a positive step, beneficiaries maintain that sustained reforms, timely stipend disbursement and a more practical training schedule will be necessary to ensure the long-term success of the programme.
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