Abuja, Nigeria – June 16, 2025
In a major breakthrough for Nigeria’s education sector, the country successfully conducted its first-ever National Common Entrance Examination into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Class 1 on June 14, with over 29,000 candidates participating nationwide.
The milestone marks a deliberate and strategic shift by the Federal Government to mainstream vocational and technical education as a core part of basic education reform, aimed at tackling youth unemployment and building a skilled workforce.
Dr. Olodo, an education reform advocate and official at the Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC) Orozo, hailed the smooth coordination of the exam as “a historic step toward revitalizing technical education.”
“This entrance exam is not just a test—it’s a symbol of renewed hope in Nigeria’s education system. It signals that we are ready to invest in skills that empower our youth and reshape our economy,” he said.
The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education and other stakeholders, organized the exam to streamline entry into specialized technical colleges across the country.
The initiative is part of broader reforms to reorient education towards practical, hands-on learning in key trades such as ICT, renewable energy, construction, and garment-making.
Education experts have lauded the initiative, describing it as a “game-changing investment” in Nigeria’s future productivity and innovation capacity.