No fewer than 30,000 candidates have sat for the 2025 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) entrance examination into Federal Technical Colleges nationwide, aiming to acquire hands-on skills.
Registrar of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB),
Dr. Mohammed Aminu Mohammed disclosed this at the flag-off ceremony for the examination at the Federal Technical College (FTC) Orozo, Abuja, Nigeria.
The NABTEB Registrar, while also monitoring the exam at the Orozo center, described TVET as a beautiful and exciting federal government project, stressing that the aim was to equip Nigerian youth with industry-relevant skills while reshaping the country’s approach to human capital development.
Mohammed emphasised that the examination was not just a means of selecting students but also a strategic tool for determining individual strengths and aligning them with specific trades.
“If you pass, we will look at your skill and study your score. We have already collected certain data from each candidate, and that will help us to determine whether they are suited for electrical installation, tailoring, solar maintenance, or other vocational areas,” he said.
He further noted that the significance of the programme lies in its potential to reverse Nigeria’s overdependence on imported skills, products, and services.
“No nation succeeds economically without artisans, craftsmen, and technicians. They are the backbone of any country’s GDP. The era of paper qualifications is gradually phasing out. We are now in the era of ‘what can you offer?” he added.
Mohammed lamented the prevailing trend where simple construction jobs, such as tiling and POP installations, were outsourced to foreign nationals, even though Nigerian youth possess the energy and potential to perform the same tasks if properly trained and certified.
“Being in the building industry is big business. With initiatives like this, our young people will soon be able to take back these roles and earn a decent living,” he stated.
He revealed that the government’s plan included creating an enabling environment for certified technical talents to practice and thrive locally. He cited major national projects, such as the gas pipeline initiative, which would soon rely heavily on indigenous artisans and technicians.
“But the question is, are they certified? That’s why this programme is critical. Certification builds trust. No one wants to risk their resources on unverified skills.”
He said that as part of the TVET programme, students will undergo training of varying durations, from six months, nine months, or one year, depending on their chosen trade. Upon completion, he said, they would be provided with starter packs and possible access to business loans.
“This is not just about skills acquisition. It’s about job creation and economic empowerment. Those who complete the programme can either be employed by the government or set up their own businesses with the support structures being put in place,” he added.
Mohammed assured that adequate planning was in place to absorb the expected influx into the technical colleges, noting that a selection committee comprising principals of federal technical colleges, NABTEB officials, and representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education will oversee the admission process.
“In 21 days, we hope to release the results. Only then will we be able to determine how many candidates will proceed to the next stage. It’s too early to say now, but our belief is that by this time next year, this paper-based process will become fully digitised,” he added.
The Minister of Education, Dr Mauruf Alausa, had earlier promised that successful applicants would be paid N22,500 monthly to aid their studies, while tuition, feeding, and accommodation would be free.