Uromi: Candidates for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) entrance examinations have witnessed an unprecedented increase from 7,547 in 2024 to 30,000 in 2025. Dr Mohammed Mohammed, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), disclosed this while monitoring the examination at the Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Uromi, in Edo.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the examination, supervised by NABTEB, was held at designated centres nationwide, including the FSTC, Uromi. Mohammed, represented by NABTEB Director of Research and Quality Assurance, Mr Pius Osaigbovo, attributed the 300 per cent surge in enrolment to incentives recently introduced by the Federal Government.
The incentives include a monthly stipend of N30,000 for technical college students, free tuition, accommodation, and feeding in some cases. Additionally, the government is offering startup grants and access to business loans to encourage entrepreneurship among TVET graduates.
Dr Mohammed emphasized the government’s aim to provide individuals with survival skills that make them employable and beneficial to society. Upon completion of the training, candidates will receive dual certificates from NABTEB: the National Technical or Business Certificate (NTC/NBC) and the National Skills Qualification (NSQ).
Highlighting the government’s focus on skill-based education, Mohammed noted that the TVET programme spans three years, with an 80 per cent focus on technical skills and 20 per cent on theory. He expressed satisfaction with the growing acceptance of technical and vocational education, as evidenced by the significant enrolment increase.
He also mentioned that the examination process was seamless, with only candidates who completed their registration online before the portal closed on June 12 being allowed to participate.