By Usman Aliyu
The Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) has visited the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) to understudy Nigeria’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) model.
Leader of the delegation, Mr Albert Akovuku, on Monday in Benin, said the visit was aimed at strengthening the capacity of UVTAB through knowledge exchange and institutional collaboration.
Akovuku said NABTEB’s contributions to Nigeria’s economic resilience had positioned it as a model for Uganda’s ongoing reforms.
“We recognise NABTEB’s decades-long contribution to Nigeria’s economic resilience, a journey that precedes and inspires Uganda’s current transformation,” he said.
He noted that Uganda’s reform agenda, anchored on Vision 2040, focuses on transitioning from theory-driven systems to a digital, industry-led and competency-based assessment model.
“Our aspiration is to move beyond theory toward a system that empowers the workforce to solve real-world problems,” he added.
Akovuku expressed optimism that the engagement would culminate in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise collaboration and strengthen bilateral cooperation in skills development.
He said the proposed partnership would promote knowledge sharing and support the development of sustainable TVET systems in both countries.
Earlier, NABTEB Registrar, Dr Aminu Muhammed, said the visit was a major step toward strengthening regional cooperation in technical education.
Muhammed said discussions would focus on assessment methodologies, industry certification linkages, and frameworks such as the Nigeria Skills Qualification Framework.
He added that the engagement would also explore digital innovations to enhance examination integrity and delivery.
According to him, the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to strengthening TVET systems as drivers of economic growth and youth empowerment across Africa.
Muhammed expressed confidence that the visit would produce a clear roadmap for sustained partnership between both institutions.
Also speaking, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, represented by Mr Kolawole Osundeyi, said the visit underscored the importance of regional collaboration in addressing skills gaps and unemployment.
He said partnerships of this nature were critical in responding to rapid technological changes and evolving labour market demands.
“Africa’s future prosperity depends on how effectively we equip our citizens with relevant and practical skills,” he said.
The minister added that the visit would deepen institutional linkages and advance technical and vocational education in both Nigeria and Uganda.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Tosin Kolade
