Over 100,000 Candidates Registered for 2026 NABTEB Examination - Registrar

Nigeria's technical and vocational education sector continues to gain momentum as more than 100,000 candidates have registered for the 2026 National Business Certificate (NBC) and National Technical Certificate (NTC) examinations conducted by the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB).

The development marks a significant increase from the 92,260 candidates recorded in 2025, highlighting the growing interest in skills-based education and career pathways among Nigerian youths.

The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB, Dr. Mohammed Aminu-Muhammed, disclosed this on Monday while monitoring the ongoing examinations at Government Technical College, Kano.

According to him, the steady rise in enrollment reflects increasing public confidence in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), as more parents and students embrace practical skills as a viable route to economic empowerment.

“This demonstrates growing acceptance of technical and vocational education among Nigerians.”

Dr. Aminu-Muhammed noted that greater awareness of the opportunities available in technical education, coupled with government interventions in the sector, has encouraged more parents to enroll their children in technical schools.

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He explained that rising enrollment figures, stronger parental support, and improved collaboration among government institutions, private organizations, and individuals are clear signs that technical education is gaining ground across the country.

The NABTEB Registrar also commended ongoing efforts by the government to reposition the TVET sector, emphasizing that the future workforce will be driven more by practical competencies than paper qualifications.

“The era we are going into is one that de-emphasises paper qualifications and places greater emphasis on skills.”

“You do not need to wait for government employment before earning a living; with relevant skills, you can become self-reliant, employ others and contribute to economic development.”

Speaking further on the role of vocational education in national development, he stressed that meaningful economic growth can only be achieved through widespread skills acquisition.

“There is no shortcut to the development of any economy. People do not necessarily have to become professors, doctors or journalists before they can earn a living.”

“What is important is acquiring relevant skills that can make one self-reliant, employable or even an employer of labour.”

On the ongoing examination exercise, Dr. Aminu-Muhammed explained that the monitoring visit was aimed at assessing compliance with examination guidelines, verifying candidates' identities, and ensuring that examinations are conducted in a conducive environment.

“We want to see how the examination is being conducted, how it is supervised, the condition of students in the examination hall and whether the actual candidates are the ones writing the examinations.”

He expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the examination at the Kano centre, revealing that 375 candidates were expected to sit for one of the examination papers on Tuesday.

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The NABTEB boss also called for greater support for graduates of technical and vocational programmes, advocating the provision of starter packs and equipment to enable them to establish businesses and become job creators.

Highlighting the unique nature of NABTEB qualifications, he said the board's examinations are designed to assess practical competencies and industry-relevant skills rather than theoretical knowledge alone.

“NABTEB examinations differ from other national examinations because they focus primarily on practical and technical skills.”

“NABTEB certificates are internationally recognised, with many Nigerians residing abroad returning home annually to sit for the examinations.”

The latest enrollment figures further reinforce the growing importance of technical education in Nigeria's quest for industrial growth, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic development.

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