A significant surge in interest for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has been observed in Nigeria, with the number of candidates for entrance examinations skyrocketing from 7,547 in 2024 to 30,000 in 2025. This substantial increase of 300% was disclosed by Dr. Mohammed Mohammed, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), during his visit to the Federal Science and Technical College, Uromi, in Edo State.
The examinations, which were supervised by NABTEB, took place at designated centers across the country, including the Federal Science and Technical College, Uromi. According to Mr. Pius Osaigbovo, NABTEB’s Director of Research and Quality Assurance, who represented Dr. Mohammed, the unprecedented rise in enrollment can be attributed to the incentives recently introduced by the federal government to boost TVET. These incentives include a monthly stipend of N30,000 for technical college students, free tuition, accommodation, and feeding in some cases, as well as startup grants and access to business loans to encourage entrepreneurship among TVET graduates.
The federal government’s goal, as stated by Dr. Mohammed, is to equip individuals with relevant skills that make them employers of labor and useful to themselves and society. Upon completing their training, candidates will receive dual certificates from NABTEB: the National Technical or Business Certificate (NTC/NBC) and the National Skills Qualification (NSQ), which is competency-based. The government is driving a skill-based education initiative, with TVET programs set to be 80% technical and 20% theory over a three-year period.
Dr. Mohammed expressed satisfaction with the growing interest in technical and vocational education, as evidenced by the massive enrollment of students seeking placements nationwide. He also noted that the examinations proceeded seamlessly, with only candidates who completed their online registration before the June 12 deadline allowed to participate. This development marks a significant shift in the country’s education landscape, as more students recognize the value of acquiring practical skills to enhance their employability and entrepreneurial prospects.
