By Aderogba George
The Chief Executive Officer of CSO Media Integrated Ltd., Mr Dominic Ogakwu, says reforms by the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) are strengthening confidence in technical and vocational education across Nigeria.
Ogakwu said this in a report released on Sunday following the firm’s independent monitoring of the 2026 NABTEB Common Entrance Examination and the In-School Final Year Certificate Examinations.
He said the assessment covered the Federal Government Technical School, Orozo, Abuja, and selected technical schools in Kebbi State.
According to him, the monitoring found that examination processes were orderly, transparent and professionally conducted across the centres visited.
“Across the centres we visited, examination processes were orderly, transparent and professionally coordinated.
“Students demonstrated remarkable confidence, while administrators and invigilators carried out their responsibilities with discipline and integrity,” he said.
Ogakwu said the findings reflected renewed confidence in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a viable pathway to skills development and employment.
He noted that NABTEB, established in 1993, remained central to the development of Nigeria’s skilled workforce through the conduct of technical and vocational examinations.
He said the board also contributed to curriculum development, quality assurance, research and assessment to ensure graduates acquired industry-relevant skills.
Ogakwu commended the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB, Dr Mohammed Aminu, for initiatives aimed at strengthening the board’s operations.
“His administration has focused not merely on conducting examinations but on restoring confidence in technical education itself,” he said.
He said the reforms had led to increased enrolment, expansion of accredited examination centres, improved examination monitoring and curriculum modernisation.
According to him, the board had continued to advocate greater investment in technical and vocational education to equip young Nigerians with practical skills for national development.
“Nigeria must deliberately produce skilled technicians, craftsmen, engineers, innovators and entrepreneurs capable of creating jobs rather than merely seeking them,” he quoted the report as saying.
Ogakwu said the monitoring team observed students undergoing training in electrical installation, welding, automotive technology, ICT and other vocational trades.
He said many of the students viewed technical education as a pathway to entrepreneurship, self-reliance and meaningful employment.
He, however, identified inadequate funding, obsolete equipment, shortages of qualified instructors and negative perceptions of vocational education as challenges affecting the sector.
Ogakwu urged governments and stakeholders to sustain investments in technical education to produce the skilled workforce required for industrialisation and economic growth.
“If Nigeria is serious about building a resilient economy, creating sustainable jobs and preparing its youth for the industries of tomorrow, then institutions like NABTEB must continue to receive the support, recognition and investment they deserve,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NABTEB conducts examinations leading to the award of the National Technical Certificate (NTC), National Business Certificate (NBC) and other technical qualifications. (NAN)