The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), Dr Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, has described technical education as a critical driver of Nigeria’s growth and development, urging parents and other stakeholders to encourage young people to embrace vocational and technical training.
Dr Mohammed made the call on Wednesday while speaking with journalists in Awka, Anambra State, after leading NABTEB’s top management team to monitor the ongoing 2026 May/June in-school National Business Certificate (NBC) and National Technical Certificate (NTC) examinations.
According to him, Nigeria must invest more in technical education and skills acquisition to keep pace with developed countries and respond effectively to emerging global trends.
He noted that a total of 226 students from the Federal Technical College, Awka, are participating in the NBC and NTC examinations, out of over 167,000 candidates registered nationwide.
The NABTEB Registrar disclosed that the examinations commenced across the country on June 15, 2026, and are scheduled to end on July 13, 2026.
He called on parents, governments at all levels, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to prioritise technical education and vocational skills development as part of efforts to accelerate Nigeria’s technological and economic advancement.
According to him, vocational and technical skills remain the foundation for sustainable national development, complementing other academic and professional qualifications.
Dr Mohammed also commended the management and staff of the Federal Technical College, Awka, led by its Director and Principal, Dr Kevin Ude, for maintaining high educational standards and ensuring the smooth conduct of the ongoing examinations.
He praised the institution for creating a conducive learning environment and fostering positive relationships between management and staff.
Speaking on the examination process, the NABTEB Registrar expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the practical sessions, noting that candidates were grouped appropriately to ensure the examinations were conducted efficiently.
He said the supervision was well coordinated despite the large number of candidates, adding that such an approach would contribute to credible examination outcomes.
Comparing this year’s exercise with that of 2025, Dr Mohammed said the 2026 examinations have shown significant improvement in organisation and supervision.
He attributed the progress to the combined efforts of the school management, NABTEB officials, and security agencies involved in monitoring the examinations.
The Registrar stressed that practical-based learning equips students with employable skills that enable them to become self-reliant immediately after graduation.
According to him, acquiring vocational skills provides young people with opportunities to earn a living without depending solely on white-collar jobs.
He added that technical education offers practical training in fields such as automobile technology, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), electrical and electronics, catering, and other specialised trades, ensuring graduates leave school with marketable skills.
Dr Mohammed concluded that Nigeria must strengthen its commitment to technical education if it hopes to bridge the gap with more technologically advanced nations and create sustainable employment opportunities for its growing youth population.
