The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) has said technical and vocational education remains Nigeria’s fastest route to employment, entrepreneurship and sustainable economic growth, urging greater investment in skills development to tackle the country’s growing unemployment challenge.
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB, Dr. Muhammed Aminu Muhammed, made the call during an inspection of the ongoing 2026 May/June NABTEB examinations at the Federal Technical College, Awka, Anambra State.
Muhammed, who is leading a nationwide monitoring exercise covering examination centres across the country, said Nigeria’s future depends on producing young people with practical and technical skills that enable them to create jobs instead of relying solely on government or private sector employment.
According to him, technical education has become increasingly important as the country seeks lasting solutions to unemployment, poverty and slow industrial growth.
“Technical education remains Nigeria’s strongest pathway to employment, entrepreneurship and national economic growth,” Muhammed said during the inspection.
“The future of Nigeria depends on equipping young people with practical skills that will enable them to create jobs rather than wait endlessly for white-collar jobs.”
He added that quality leadership in schools also plays a major role in shaping students’ academic performance and practical competence.
“Effective leadership within a school naturally reflects in students’ performance and the quality of teaching and learning,” he said.
The NABTEB Registrar disclosed that more than 167,000 candidates are participating in this year’s May/June examinations nationwide, while 226 candidates are writing their examinations at the Federal Technical College, Awka.
During his visit, Muhammed inspected the Physics practical examination and assessed the overall conduct of the exercise at the centre.
He monitored the arrangement of candidates, interacted with examination officials and supervisors, and reviewed the facilities and organisation put in place to ensure a smooth examination process.
At the end of the inspection, he expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the examinations at the college, describing the institution as one of the best-organised technical colleges he had visited during the nationwide monitoring exercise.
According to him, the practical examination was well coordinated despite the large number of candidates, with students properly grouped to ensure that the exercise progressed without disruption.
He praised the management of the college, examination officials and invigilators for maintaining high standards throughout the examination process.
Muhammed also observed that the quality of this year’s examinations has improved significantly compared to those conducted in 2025.
He attributed the improvement to stronger supervision by school principals, better coordination by NABTEB officials and increased collaboration with security agencies responsible for protecting examination centres across the country.
“In every area, this year’s examination is better than last year’s,” he said.
The Registrar noted that the practical component of NABTEB examinations remains one of the Board’s most important responsibilities because it measures the technical competence of students preparing for careers in various trades and industries.
He explained that technical education is designed to equip students with practical knowledge that can be applied immediately in the workplace or in establishing their own businesses after graduation.
According to him, strengthening technical education will help reduce youth unemployment, support industrial development and produce skilled workers needed in key sectors of Nigeria’s economy.
He stressed that many developed countries have achieved rapid industrial growth by investing heavily in vocational and technical education, producing technicians, artisans, engineers and entrepreneurs who drive manufacturing and innovation.
Muhammed said Nigeria must also place greater emphasis on practical education if it hopes to compete effectively in today’s global economy.
He noted that graduates with technical skills often have more employment opportunities because they possess abilities that are directly needed by industries, construction firms, manufacturing companies and other productive sectors.
Beyond formal employment, he said technical education also encourages self-reliance by enabling graduates to establish small businesses and create employment opportunities for others.
He therefore called on governments at all levels, educational institutions and the private sector to continue investing in technical colleges, workshops, laboratories and modern equipment to improve the quality of vocational training across the country.
With thousands of university graduates struggling to secure employment every year, attention has increasingly shifted towards technical and vocational education as a practical solution to unemployment.
The Federal Government has also introduced several policies in recent years aimed at revitalising technical colleges, improving vocational training and encouraging young Nigerians to acquire skills in fields such as electrical installation, mechanical engineering, building technology, welding, plumbing, ICT and automobile maintenance.
NABTEB plays a central role in that effort by conducting examinations and awarding certificates in technical and business education.
The Board is responsible for assessing candidates in technical colleges, vocational centres and other institutions offering practical and business-related programmes.
Its certificates are recognised by employers, tertiary institutions and professional organisations across the country and are intended to prepare graduates for both further education and the labour market.
The ongoing May/June examinations include both theoretical and practical assessments to evaluate candidates’ understanding of their chosen trades and technical subjects.
Officials say the practical sessions are particularly important because they test the ability of students to apply classroom knowledge in real-life situations.
Muhammed reiterated that NABTEB would continue to strengthen the quality and credibility of its examinations to ensure that graduates possess the skills required by employers and industries.
He said expanding access to quality technical education remains one of the most effective ways to empower young Nigerians, reduce unemployment and build a stronger economy.
According to him, as Nigeria continues to diversify its economy beyond oil, investment in technical education will be critical to producing the skilled workforce needed to support industrialisation, infrastructure development and technological advancement.
He expressed confidence that with sustained support from government, school administrators, teachers and development partners, technical education would continue to play a leading role in creating jobs, promoting entrepreneurship and driving national development.