TVET Centres Threaten to Suspend Training in Kano, Jigawa Over 65% Attendance Rule

TVET centres in Kano and Jigawa threaten to suspend training on October 4 over a 65% attendance rule and outstanding payments from the Federal Government.

Accredited Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres implementing Cohort II of the Federal Ministry of Education’s programme in Kano and Jigawa states have threatened to suspend training from October 4, 2026, over a dispute with the government concerning payment conditions.

The centres said the disagreement centres on a proposed requirement that trainees must record at least 65 per cent monthly attendance before participating training centres can receive payment.

In a joint statement signed by Ibrahim S. Nuhu for Kano centres and Engr. Jabir Wada Isa for participating centres in Jigawa, the providers said the proposed condition differs from the payment framework contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) governing the programme.

According to the centres, the executed agreement provides for payment based on verified trainees and agreed programme milestones, rather than requiring individual trainees to meet a specified monthly attendance threshold.

They are therefore calling for the existing agreement to be honoured and opposing any retrospective application of revised payment conditions to training already delivered.

The centres said they remained committed to the Federal Government’s TVET programme and had continued training despite the unresolved payment concerns.

They also said they supported biometric attendance monitoring, trainee verification and other accountability measures, but objected to making payment to training providers directly dependent on a monthly attendance threshold.

The providers argued that such an arrangement could leave centres bearing the cost of training already delivered, particularly where trainee attendance is affected by factors outside the centres’ control.

They said training providers had already committed trainers, assessors, facilities, equipment and consumables to the programme, while trainee recruitment, selection and deployment were handled through processes beyond their direct control.

The centres warned that any suspension from October 4 could disrupt skills training for young Nigerians enrolled under the programme, with resources already committed to the implementation of Cohort II.

They appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, to intervene before the proposed suspension date and resolve the disagreement.

Among their demands are the settlement of outstanding payments under the existing MoU, a review of the 65 per cent attendance requirement where it differs from the agreed payment framework, and an assurance that any revised payment arrangement will not be applied retrospectively.

The centres are also seeking a mechanism for replacing trainees who fail to report for training or subsequently withdraw, as well as regular payment of approved trainee stipends.

They said they remained open to dialogue and hoped the matter would be resolved without disrupting the training programme, but warned that they may suspend operations if their concerns are not addressed by October 4.

The dispute comes as the Federal Government continues to position TVET and skills development as a key component of its efforts to equip young Nigerians with practical skills for employment and enterprise.