FG mandates biometric attendance for TVET centres, linking payments to verified records
Nigeria's Ministry of Education has enforced biometric attendance verification across all Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres nationwide, effective February 1, 2026. The system now links all trainee stipends and centre payments directly to verified biometric records, replacing previous attendance methods. Ministry spokesperson Folasade Boriowo confirmed centres must implement real-time biometric monitoring systems, stating biometric verification is now the sole approved attendance validation method under the TVET Programme. This measure aims to strengthen transparency and accountability in public fund usage for youth skill development. Over 100,000 students are currently enrolled across 1,600 centres, with plans to expand to 250,000 trainees in the next two to three months. Centres failing to comply face payment suspension, while trainees at non-compliant centres will forfeit stipends. The government remains accepting new centres through NBTE accreditation via the TVET portal.