By Abubakar Yunusa
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it describes as an “unprecedented revolution” in Nigeria’s education sector, particularly in technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
In Abuja, the NAPS President, Comrade Eshiofune Paul Oghayan, the association commended the federal government’s efforts in prioritizing education and youth development through bold budgetary commitments and student-focused programs.
“This is not just a promise fulfilled; it is a generational shift. Free tuition, accommodation, and feeding for students in technical colleges, alongside N45,000 monthly stipends—not loans—is a testament to a government that truly cares,” Comrade Oghayan said.
Highlighting the landmark N2.52 trillion allocated to the education sector in the 2025 budget—marking a 133% increase from 2023 and the highest in Nigeria’s history—NAPS described the move as a bold repositioning of education as a cornerstone for national development.
The association also praised the government’s N120 billion investment in TVET, which it said signals a “paradigm shift from paper qualifications to practical productivity, from certificates to competence.”
Further lauding the transformation of key education funding agencies, the statement noted that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) had received N683.4 billion for interventions in 2024, while the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had disbursed over N104 billion to more than 600,000 students.
“This is a lifeline, not a life sentence. For many students, this is the difference between dropping out and dreaming big,” the NAPS president remarked about NELFUND.
The polytechnic students’ body also applauded curriculum reforms that have made education more practical, with a new model comprising 80% hands-on learning and 20% theory—designed to fuel innovation and global relevance among Nigerian youth.
Equally noteworthy, NAPS cited the launch of the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program and the $617.7 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) initiative as timely interventions to prepare students for the digital economy.
“No more academic strikes, no more broken dreams. PBAT is delivering wonder in education. For all you do, the association declared, using expressions of gratitude in Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo.
They reaffirms the association’s support for continued educational reforms and calls on all students to seize the opportunities being created under the current administration.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
