The Federal Government, through the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), has commenced the 2025 nationwide entrance examinations into Federal Science and Technical Colleges under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme.
The examination, which was officially flagged off on Thursday, is taking place simultaneously across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, with over 30,000 candidates participating.
Speaking at the official flag-off ceremony held at the Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Orozo, Abuja, the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB, Prof. Ifeoma Isiugo-Abanihe, described the initiative as a critical milestone in advancing technical education in Nigeria. She emphasised that the TVET entrance examination is aimed at selecting qualified candidates into Federal Technical Colleges across the country, where they will receive specialised training in various technical and vocational fields.
According to Prof. Isiugo-Abanihe, the programme aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance among Nigerian youths in line with the objectives of the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF). She noted that the increasing number of applicants reflects a growing awareness of the value of vocational education in addressing unemployment and boosting economic productivity.
“TVET is the bedrock of industrial and technological advancement. It is encouraging to see thousands of young Nigerians showing interest in technical education, and NABTEB remains committed to ensuring a transparent and credible examination process,” she stated.
Also speaking at the event, the Director of Technology and Science Education in the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Grace Jakko, reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to expanding access to technical education as part of efforts to bridge the skills gap in the country. She urged stakeholders to continue supporting the development of vocational institutions and creating pathways for students to thrive in technical careers.
The TVET entrance examination is designed to assess candidates’ aptitude and foundational knowledge in areas relevant to technical education, including mathematics, English language, basic science, and technology-related subjects. Successful candidates will gain admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1) or equivalent levels in designated Federal Science and Technical Colleges.
The TVET programme plays a key role in the Federal Government’s broader education reform agenda, which seeks to diversify the economy, reduce youth unemployment, and produce a skilled workforce that can compete globally.
The results of the entrance examination are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
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