The real pressure after school is no longer just passing exams, it is figuring out how a certificate translates into survival, income, and independence in a tough job market.
That shift in mindset is exactly what the Federal Government says it is trying to address through a stronger focus on skills acquisition and technical education.
The Registrar of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), Dr Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, said this on Monday while monitoring the 2026 NBC/NTC examinations at Government Technical College, Kano.
He explained that the goal is to move young people away from overdependence on paper qualifications and towards practical skills that can create jobs and income opportunities.
“The era we are moving into is one driven by skills, so that I do not need to depend on anybody to give me a job. There must be something I can do on my own to earn a living. That is where we are headed,” he said.
According to him, the direction of the global economy now favours people with hands-on abilities that can translate directly into work and entrepreneurship.
“You do not need to be a professor or a doctor before you can earn a living. You do not even need to be a journalist before you can make a living because there are other legitimate ways to earn an income,” he said.
He added that the focus is to reduce what he described as the “excessive emphasis on paper qualifications” and encourage young people to see skills as a pathway to self-reliance.
Mohammed also noted that Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind in technical and vocational development, stressing that the current administration is deliberately promoting skills-based education as part of its broader economic strategy.
As part of his nationwide monitoring tour, he observed that interest in technical education is growing among students.
“There is a huge improvement compared to what we have had over the years.
Students are becoming more interested in technical subjects, knowing fully well that there is no shortcut to economic development. It is about learning skills that can help you earn a living,” he said.
He disclosed that more than 100,000 candidates registered for the 2026 NBC/NTC examinations, up from 92,260 in the previous year — a rise he described as evidence of growing acceptance of technical education.
He also pointed to increased parental support for technical schooling, suggesting a gradual shift in perception about vocational education in Nigeria.
“Every parent now wants their children to attend technical schools compared to what we had before. This is because the government has taken certain responsibilities away from parents, and many are eager to take advantage of those opportunities,” he said.
The 2026 NABTEB May/June NBC/NTC examinations began nationwide on June 15 and are expected to run until July 13, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to reposition technical education as a practical route into work, entrepreneurship, and economic participation.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.