The Nigerian Government has launched the 2025 entrance examination for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes across its Federal Technical Colleges, with over 30,000 candidates participating nationwide. The initiative, spearheaded by the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), aims to reshape the country’s approach to human capital development by equipping young Nigerians with relevant, industry-grade skills.
Speaking during a monitoring visit at the Federal Technical College in Orozo, Abuja, NABTEB Registrar and CEO, Dr. Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, described TVET as an innovative project central to Nigeria’s economic transformation. He stressed that beyond student selection, the examination serves as a strategic tool for identifying candidates’ strengths and matching them to specific trades such as electrical installation, tailoring, and solar maintenance.
Mohammed pointed out that the TVET initiative is designed to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported skills and services. According to him, “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 decried the ongoing outsourcing of routine construction tasks like tiling and POP installations to foreign workers, despite the potential of Nigerian youth to perform these roles if given the right training and certification. “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 said.
The government, he revealed, is working towards creating an enabling environment where certified local artisans and technicians can thrive. He referenced major infrastructure projects, including the national gas pipeline, which will soon depend on homegrown technical talent. However, he emphasised that certification remains key to unlocking these opportunities. “Certification builds trust. No one wants to risk their resources on unverified skills,” he noted.
As part of the TVET structure, candidates will undergo trade-specific training lasting between six months to a year. Upon completion, graduates will receive starter packs and may gain access to business loans. Mohammed explained that the programme is not merely about skills training but is tied to broader objectives of job creation and economic empowerment. Beneficiaries may be employed by government agencies or supported to launch their own enterprises.
The Registrar assured that the technical colleges are well-prepared to accommodate the surge in admissions. A selection committee made up of school principals, NABTEB officials, and representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education will handle admissions. He added that results are expected within 21 days and projected that the current paper-based process will transition fully to a digital format by next year.
This bold move reflects a growing shift in national policy away from conventional education models toward a more practical, demand-driven system that aligns with Nigeria’s development goals.
