NABTEB Registrar Says TVET Reforms Boost Rise in Technical College Enrolment

The Registrar of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), Dr. Mohammed Aminu, has attributed the rapid increase in enrolment into technical colleges across Nigeria to the Federal Government's ongoing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) reforms.

Speaking during the monitoring of NABTEB practical examinations at the Federal Technical College, Yaba, Lagos State, Dr. Aminu said the reforms are restoring confidence in technical education and encouraging more young Nigerians to pursue vocational skills.

Earlier, the NABTEB Registrar also visited Government Technical College, Epe, where he inspected facilities and assessed the learning environment.

He commended the Lagos State Government for maintaining quality infrastructure and a clean learning environment in its technical colleges, describing proper maintenance as a critical factor in delivering quality technical education.

According to him, technical colleges play a vital role in producing graduates with practical skills who can become employers of labour instead of relying solely on white-collar jobs.

Dr. Aminu also praised the management of Federal Technical College, Yaba, for sustaining high academic and technical standards.

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He explained that practical examinations remain an important aspect of technical education because they provide students with hands-on experience required in the workplace.

The NABTEB Registrar noted that many developed countries achieved industrial growth by making consistent investments in vocational and technical education.

He said Nigeria must follow a similar path by strengthening technical education to produce skilled workers capable of maintaining critical infrastructure and manufacturing equipment locally.

Commending the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for championing reforms in the sector, Aminu expressed optimism that sustained investment in TVET over the next decade would significantly reduce unemployment and boost national productivity.

He pointed to China's industrial transformation as an example of how deliberate investment in technical skills can strengthen local manufacturing.

"Countries such as China successfully adapted foreign technologies and developed local manufacturing capacity."

He urged Nigeria to adopt similar strategies by investing more in technical skills development, adding that the country's large domestic market provides enormous opportunities for industrial growth.

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Highlighting the impact of the reforms, the NABTEB Registrar revealed that candidate enrolment increased from 92,260 in 2025 to approximately 167,000 in 2026.

"The increase reflects renewed public confidence in technical education."

He credited the remarkable growth to the Federal Government's TVET initiatives, which have revitalised technical colleges nationwide.

Dr. Aminu further disclosed that technical colleges have now mapped industries located close to their campuses to provide students with safer and more accessible industrial attachment opportunities.

According to him, the arrangement is expected to improve students' practical exposure while addressing challenges associated with distant industrial placements.

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On the recently conducted National Common Entrance Examination into Federal Technical Colleges, the NABTEB Registrar assured candidates that the admission process was progressing as planned.

"The selection and placement of successful candidates have been scheduled for July 28."

He also stressed the importance of continuously upgrading workshop equipment to keep pace with technological advancement, noting that government is already providing modern equipment while encouraging innovation and improvisation where necessary.

Dr. Aminu emphasised that regular teacher retraining is equally essential to ensure instructors remain equipped to transfer modern technical knowledge and skills to students.

According to him, the success of the TVET reforms depends on sustained investment in teachers, equipment and students.

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He concluded by encouraging Nigerian youths to embrace technical education as a pathway to entrepreneurship, self-reliance and national industrial development.

The Director and Principal of Federal Technical College, Yaba, Mrs. Adebimpe Ajayi, also appreciated the NABTEB management for the inspection visit, describing it as a demonstration of the board's commitment to improving technical education across the country.

"We appreciate your support and commitment to advancing technical education."

The monitoring exercise formed part of NABTEB's nationwide quality assurance efforts aimed at ensuring the smooth conduct of practical examinations while reinforcing the Federal Government's commitment to repositioning technical and vocational education as a key driver of skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and Nigeria's industrial development.