The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) has commenced the 2026 selection and placement of qualified candidates into Federal and State Technical Colleges across the country.
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB, Dr. Mohammed Aminu, announced the commencement of the exercise on Monday in Abuja, describing it as a crucial stage in the admission process for technical colleges nationwide.
According to him, the placement exercise is designed to ensure that candidates who successfully participated in the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination are admitted into technical colleges through a transparent and merit-based process.
Earlier in the admission process, 15,290 candidates registered for the entrance examination, while 13,848 eventually sat for the test across the country.
Of those who participated, 10,426 candidates, representing 75.29 per cent, scored 50 per cent and above, while 5,708 candidates, representing 41.22 per cent, obtained at least 70 per cent.
Speaking on the placement exercise, Aminu said the process would be guided by merit, fairness, accountability, transparency and the Federal Character Principle.
“Today’s exercise marks one of the most critical stages in the admission process into our Technical Colleges. It is the bridge between assessment and admission, ensuring that qualified candidates who sat for the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination are fairly, transparently and appropriately placed in accordance with the admission guidelines approved by the Federal Ministry of Education,” he said.
The NABTEB registrar urged members of the selection committee to carry out their responsibilities with integrity, professionalism and impartiality.
“The success of the National Common Entrance Examination can only be fully realised when it is followed by a transparent, credible and objective selection and placement process,” he added.
Aminu also highlighted improvements introduced into the examination process, noting that NABTEB successfully deployed Computer-Based Testing (CBT), enhanced digital result processing and an Artificial Intelligence-powered aptitude placement system to improve efficiency, transparency and accuracy.
He described technical colleges as centres of innovation, entrepreneurship and practical skills acquisition, insisting they should not be viewed as institutions of second choice.
According to him, strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) remains essential to producing skilled technicians, artisans and technologists capable of driving Nigeria’s industrialisation and economic diversification.
The registrar commended the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for spearheading reforms aimed at repositioning technical education through increased investment in skills development, stronger collaboration with industries and greater deployment of digital technology.
He further appealed to governments at all levels, school administrators, parents, communities and development partners to intensify advocacy for technical education and encourage more young Nigerians to pursue vocational and technical careers.
The Federal Government has in recent years intensified efforts to reposition Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a key pillar of its education reform agenda.
As part of the reforms, the Federal Ministry of Education has expanded enrolment into Federal Technical Colleges, introduced a revised TVET curriculum, strengthened partnerships with industries and increased investments in skills acquisition programmes aimed at reducing youth unemployment and addressing Nigeria’s growing skills gap.
The National Common Entrance Examination, organised annually by NABTEB, serves as the gateway for admission into Federal and participating State Technical Colleges, where students receive competency-based training in engineering, construction, information and communication technology (ICT), agriculture, hospitality and other vocational trades aligned with labour market demands.
