The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), Dr. Mohammed Aminu, has stressed that Nigeria’s path to economic recovery and long-term prosperity lies in revitalising vocational and technical education.
Aminu disclosed this during a recent monitoring visit to two NABTEB examination centres in Lagos—Government Technical College, Agidingbi, Ikeja, and the Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Yaba.
Speaking after the visit, the registrar expressed satisfaction with the facilities and student conduct, particularly praising the Lagos State Government for its heavy investment in technical education.
“I’m amazed by what I’ve seen here. If all technical colleges across the country were like this, I’d be the happiest person. The workshops are equipped with modern, standard tools that reflect today’s technological demands. This is not just education; it’s practical readiness,” he said.
The visit, according to Aminu, was part of his national oversight responsibility to assess NABTEB examinations, inspect facilities, and engage stakeholders to promote continuous improvement in technical education.
He used the opportunity to call for a nationwide revival of technical and vocational training institutions, warning that Nigeria’s overdependence on imports and lack of local production capacity—exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic—posed a serious economic threat.
“COVID-19 was a wake-up call. It revealed our inability to produce or maintain essential tools and services locally. Any country that neglects technical and vocational education is courting economic disaster. We must bring back our trade centres and technical colleges—artisans, technicians, and craftsmen are the backbone of any productive economy,” he warned.
Aminu also criticised the country’s obsession with paper qualifications, advocating instead for a shift toward skill-based training as practised in more advanced economies.
“In Nigeria, employment depends on degrees and PhDs. But elsewhere, employers want to see what you can do, not what certificate you hold.”
Aminu praised the Federal Government’s current push for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), led by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, calling on citizens to support the initiative.
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“If well implemented, this initiative will boost our GDP, reduce dependency, and move us toward self-sufficiency,” he said.
Reflecting on his history with the Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, which he previously visited in 1981, 1989, and 1995, Dr. Aminu commended the transformation he witnessed during his 2025 visit.
“I was impressed by the improvement. The electrical department and the leadership team deserve high praise. This school has been a cornerstone of technical development in Nigeria.”
He also noted that the Yaba College, along with its Kaduna counterpart, was once at the forefront of Nigeria’s technical education system.
“Yaba and Kaduna were our flagship technical colleges. Sadly, Kaduna is struggling today. But Yaba is still holding strong, and I encourage the team to keep it up.”
Also speaking during the tour, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), Moronke Azeez, welcomed the registrar’s positive assessment of Lagos’ technical education infrastructure.
“Despite the short notice of the visit, Dr. Mohammed was visibly impressed by what he saw — well-equipped workshops, standard classrooms, disciplined students. That speaks volumes about the commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to technical education,” she said.
Azeez also advocated for greater inclusivity in Nigeria’s education system.
“We must end the bias against technical education. Our youth should be allowed to choose freely between general and vocational education and supported equally. That is how we build a nation rich in skills and balanced in development,” she said.
The Principal of FSTC Yaba, Mrs. Ajayi Adebimpe, also highlighted the relevance of vocational education in today’s world, noting that most student projects in the school, including furniture and notebooks, are produced in-house.
“Our students are not just learning theory. They are applying their skills every day. This hands-on approach gives them real-world confidence,” she said.
She urged parents to encourage their children to pursue technical education for self-reliance and appealed to private sector stakeholders to partner with the government in expanding TVET capacity.
“We need more hostels and classrooms to take in more students. The demand is high, and we don’t want to turn anyone away from this life-changing opportunity,” she said.