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Tag: NBTE

  • NBTE Boss Bugaje, not under ICPC – Board

    NBTE Boss Bugaje, not under ICPC – Board

    The board of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has debunked an online report alleging that the Executive Secretary is under investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

    This was contained in a statement issued by the Head of the Media Unit, Office of the Executive Secretary, Mrs. Fatima Abubakar, on behalf of the board, which was made available to newsmen on Wednesday night.

    The statement said, “Our attention has been drawn to an online publication titled ‘NBTE Executive Secretary under fire over multimillion Naira fraud allegation’ published by an online medium on February 10, 2025.”

    The statement noted that the said report was orchestrated by some staff of the NBTE who were being investigated for unwholesome practices and corruption.

    “Let it be stated clearly that the Executive Secretary is not under any investigation by ICPC. In mid-2024, there were several petitions by one of the directors, who was then suspended, and his collaborators on allegations of diversion of funds for accreditation, which was answered in letters to the Hon. Minister of Education and other government agencies.

    Read Also: ICPC arrests former naval chief, NSCDC commandant over alleged N3bn fraud

    “Since the creation of NBTE in 1977, physical accreditation had been done through cash advances to staff, who in turn pay resource persons air tickets, honoraria, etc and at the end make retirements which were audited.

    “The introduction of digital accreditation, which would require no such cash advances in early 2024, meant clearance of a backlog of physical accreditations, some paid in 2021. That period saw a lot of activities and cash advances all of which have now been retired.

    “NBTE had closed the door for physical accreditation, but due to complaints from stakeholders, we had to allow a window till March 2025 to enable all institutions to fix their ICT infrastructure. From April 2025, only digital accreditation shall be sustained, and if any institution wants physical accreditation, it shall be outsourced to consultants as approved by the Hon. Minister of Education.

    “Ramat Polytechnic last year hosted one hundred and one (101) external resource persons and so were other institutions. Paying ₦ 30 million for 100 persons reduces it to an average of ₦300,00 per resource person, which is not outrageous going by the cost of air tickets.

    “Furthermore, whatever institutions pay, there are other components that are not cash advanced such as copies of curricula, NBTE Journals, service charges, inspectorate surcharge, etc. For that reason, the amount paid by institutions is always higher than the cash advance to the finance officers for resource persons. There were no violations of financial regulations.

    “On NBTE Consult Ltd, it was an innovation introduced by the ES when he assumed office in 2021. The company was duly registered by CAC to carry out training and consultancy services to generate income for the NBTE. The company has been operating as a private sector firm within the law and generating additional revenue for the activities of the Board, which has no other major source of IGR in the face of dividing the value of the overhead budgets.

    “The NBTE had no ‘‘Luxury cars’’ to sell. What the ES inherited when he took office in 2021 were a bunch of accident vehicles and a Toyota Hilux as the official car. He had to borrow a car from Kaduna Polytechnic till year end when he managed to buy 12 brand new vehicles from our capital budget.

    “The campaign of calumny by this director and his cohorts has been going on for about a year now using various print and online media, having exhausted his petitioning campaign.

    “The Board shall not be diverted, shall remain focused and shall not relent in ensuring transparency in our operations, the deployment of technology to minimize human interface and taking TVET to a new level of renewed hope for Nigerian youth, the statement enthused.

  • NBTE Executive Secretary urges Nigeria to embrace eastern development strategies

    NBTE Executive Secretary urges Nigeria to embrace eastern development strategies

    Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Professor Idris Mohammed Bugaje, has called on the federal government to look towards the East for development and the rediscovery of Nigeria.

    Professor Bugaje made this statement in Kaduna on Monday while declaring open a workshop to develop National Occupational Standards and National Skills Qualification for 25 occupational areas.

    The NBTE, in collaboration with the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project, organized the six-day workshop, which gathered experts in the technology industry to develop these standards.

    Declaring the workshop open, Prof. Bugaje emphasized that Nigeria will improve once it repositions Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

    While commending the Minister of Education’s plan to make technical colleges more attractive by rebranding all Federal Science and Technical Colleges, the NBTE Executive Secretary advised that Nigeria should leverage China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

    Read Also: Police smash newborn theft, sale syndicate, arrest eight suspects

    According to Professor Bugaje, “The Minister plans to make Technical Colleges attractive. At the Federal level, all the Federal Science and Technical Colleges are being rebranded.

    “Across the country, the government is introducing financial support from NELFUND. There is going to be funding for every student who joins technical science colleges by paying their school fees, and certificate of NSQ, by paying them a monthly allowance, and by paying the master craftsman who trains him on the field.

    “Very soon technical schools will become attractive and at the moment, we are developing a proposal to the Minister for a Belt and Road intervention. This is a program that China has been promoting across the world. They have been building roads, railways, airports, and other infrastructures elsewhere.

    “The best way to support that infrastructure is to invest in TIVET. Because the current infrastructure in polytechnics is very weak. If we are really going to put TIVET on a fast track, we must re-engineer these technical colleges, bring new infrastructures, do away with archaic curricula, and bring in modern ones.

    “China can easily do it for us at a minimal cost and without any feelings that we are going to catch up with them because Western countries are always very conscious that if they allow Africa to develop on a fast track, we will take over.

    “After all higher education started in Africa. The first three varsities in the world are in Africa. Western countries are always conscious they won’t allow you to surpass them. China may have its own vested interests, but will not be as bad as those of the Western powers.

    “For that reason, here at NBTE, we are proposing a Belt and Road proposal for the rejuvenation of the infrastructure of TIVET, so that our technical colleges will have new buildings, equipment and our polytechnics also will be reinvented and look better than any university in Nigeria.

    “So, Nigeria needs to look towards the East to rediscover ourselves,” Professor Bugaje said.

    Earlier in his remarks, Mr Isah Suleiman, the Managing Director of Talent and Skill Managers Limited and consultant for the Workshop said, the participants are experts in 25 fields cutting across Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Agriculture, Mechatronics, Fishery, and others brought from across the country to develop the National Occupational Standards/National Skills Qualification for the 25 skills.

    He said the efforts were aimed at addressing the existing skills gaps in the country and addressing unemployment among the youths.

  • NBTE backs FG, ARCON’s collaboration for Abuja technicians’ school

    NBTE backs FG, ARCON’s collaboration for Abuja technicians’ school

    The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has expressed its readiness to support a training school in Abuja for architects and technicians.

    The school, to be run by Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) named School of Architectural Technicians (SAT), is located in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    In a letter to the council, signed by NBTE’s Director of  Vocational, Technical and Skills Development, S M Yusuf, the Board however, specified some conditions for the architects’ council.

    The letter dated September 20 read in part: “Please recall our virtual meeting of 19th September, 2024, on your intent to operate School of Architectural Technicians in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as a training provider under the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) to enhance skills that meet contemporary industry standard.

    “Once the above requirements are met, the Board will give its maximum support in approving the School of Architectural Technicians in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja as a training provider under NSQF.”

    The Board’s assurances came a few months after the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa, endorsed the collaboration between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and ARCON to use the facility for training of technicians in the architecture field.

    Among others, the centre is expected to provide high-quality education and hands-on training in architectural technology while enhancing capacity development in the built environment, preparing skilled technicians ready to contribute to Nigeria’s growing architectural and construction sectors.

    Conducting members of the council around the facility recently, ARCON president, Chief Oladipupo Ajayi, an architect, lauded Dangiwa’s gesture towards lifting architecture and the built environment.

    “This facility has been here.  Those who have followed the pronouncements of our supervising minister will agree with me that he is passionate to curb building collapse in Nigeria.

    “And being a professional in the built environment, he is desirous of enhancing the sector.

    “Hence, he graciously allotted this place to us to further train and retrain architectural technicians, architects and related professionals in the building industry.

    According to him, the council will establish a curriculum that meets industry standards regulated by ARCON and offers skill acquisition in the built environment.

    Ajayi, who noted that the facility can enroll 200 students in the first academic year, said it had commenced talks with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for needed accreditation and certification.

    Read Also: ARCON establishes image bank to boost local content creation

    According to him, the centre will boost professional development (CPD) programs for industry practitioners.

    The president, who said that the centre aligns with its core responsibility of determining what standards of knowledge and skills persons seeking to become members of the architectural profession need to attain, added this approval could not have come at a better time than now.

    Ajayi, who added that the centre will aid its role of raising the standards from time to time as, said Nigeria’s urbanization and infrastructure development create a significant demand for skilled architectural technicians.

    Facilities available in the centre include offices, classrooms and workshops, seminar rooms, hostels for accommodation, a restaurant serving students and guests, power house with generator, furniture and office equipment among others. 

    Programmes to be offered include diploma in architectural technology, certificate programs in Building Information Modeling (BIM), project management, sustainable architecture, construction management.

    There will also be short courses in hard skill acquisition like masonry, plumbing, and electrical installations, tilling, POP installations among others.

    The council’s registrar, Sule Utopa, said the school became necessary as the industry goes through constant and increasing changes in construction technology.

    A council member, Arc. (Prof.) Sati Yohana, who expressed delight over the centre, commended Dangiwa for his resolve to enhance architecture with the centre.

    “Here’s a centre coming to fruition based on the vision of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through his Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc.  Dangiwa , that will lead to architecture and society.

    “Soon, this centre will be able to invite people from the society to train and help them acquire skills at the middle level. Our resource persons will be pulled from the practice and schools of architecture.

    “We came here to access the centre with a view to improving it. 

    “This training centre will be a game changer in the built sector and it is certain that architecture will be better off when it takes off.

    “This centre will expose the middle level trainees within the sector to current trends and by doing so, ARCON, would be making much impact on the society.”

  • NBTE meets Reps committee, seeks upgrade to Polytechnic Commission

    NBTE meets Reps committee, seeks upgrade to Polytechnic Commission

    …says board poorly funded

    The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has met with the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnic to advocate for the Board’s upgrade to the National Polytechnic Commission in the country.

    NBTE’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje, made the plea during his presentation to the House Committee, which was chaired by Hon. Fuad Kayode Laguda at the Board’s Headquarters in Kaduna.

    He also highlighted that the Board has been inadequately funded over the years, which has affected its oversight functions and curriculum review for the over 700 institutions under its supervision.

    The chairman and members of the House Committee conducted an oversight visit to the Board in Kaduna.

    “We warmly welcome this Honourable Committee to the NBTE, and we look forward to greater collaborations to move this sector forward. The struggle to upgrade NBTE to the National Polytechnic Commission has started, and your support is indispensable in realizing this dream,” Bugaje said.

    Bugaje highlighted the critical role TVET plays in addressing the nation’s skill gaps, particularly in infrastructure development.

    “No economy can grow without infrastructure. We have the AKK Gas Pipeline, Trans-Saharan Natural Gas Pipeline, Rail Upgrade and Expansion, Mambila Power Plant, and Dangote Refinery and Urea Plant, among others.”

    However, Bugaje lamented that these projects were being executed with imported skilled labour from Asia, while Nigerian youths remained jobless.

    According to him, “Every polytechnic has a Skills Development Centre, established with TETFund intervention. We must utilize these facilities to train our youths.”

    He also identified some challenges facing TVET institutions, including poor funding, outdated curricula, lack of modern equipment, and stigmatization of TVET graduates.

    Read Also: NBTE approves NUBIAN America Advanced College

    “The 2024 budget was our worst, with significant cuts at the National Assembly. We need adequate funding to review ND/HND curricula within the five-year time frame,” Bugaje said.

    This was just as he expressed concern over the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2013 and implemented in 2017, saying that “NSQF provides a bridge between workplaces and education/training institutions, ensuring quality assurance for all stakeholders.”

    Bugaje warned that the NSQF was under threat from the ITF Amendment Act 2024 while noting that “we must protect this framework to ensure Nigeria’s skill development aligns with global standards.”

    Regarding the NBTE’s land dispute in Abuja, Bugaje recounted the longstanding issue, noting that “In 2003, the land was allocated to NBTE at Maitama with Certificate of Occupancy No. 445. However, DB Mangal seized two-thirds of the land and built ‘Murjanatu House’ for commercial renting.”

    The matter is currently before the Appeal Court.

    “We seek the Tinubu Administration’s investigation into this and nine other critical inherited corruption matters,” Bugaje added.

    In his response, the House Committee Chairman assured the NBTE of the committee’s support.

    “We will work closely with the NBTE to address the challenges facing TVET institutions and ensure Nigeria’s skill development meets global standards.”

  • NBTE approves NUBIAN America Advanced College

    NBTE approves NUBIAN America Advanced College

    Nubian American Advanced College off Chevron Road, Lekki, Lagos, has received the approval of Minister of Education for the establishment of the institution in line with the provision of ACT CAP E3 LPN 2004 with effect from August 1, 2024. 

    The college also received the approval of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for the Interim Accreditation of its academic programmes.

    The NBTE, in the approval letter by its Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris M. Bugaje, to the proprietor of the college, Dr. Azhinoto Ikpah, conveyed the Minister’s approval as well as the Board’s approval of the institution granting it recognition and the interim accreditation for its Business Administration and Management programme for the take-off of the institution.

    Read Also: How to implement NBTE’s digital accreditation, by ASUP, lecturers

    The NBTE further approved the commencement of admission of students by the college into the approved programmes with effect from the 2024/2025 sessions.

    The Board advised the college to ensure strict compliance to the approved programme.

    Dr. Patrick Oyinkari, the Provost of the college, in a statement explained that Nubian American Advanced College is pioneering the offering of associate degree programmes in Nigeria, which are two-year programmes like the national diploma programmes with professional, technical and vocational skills at very reasonable and affordable terms.

    “Our products receive American education while in Nigeria and have the options to transfer credits to four-year colleges and universities in the USA and Nigeria.

     “They also get the opportunities for gainful employment and entrepreneurship,” Prof. Oyinkari said about the nascent college.

  • How to implement NBTE’s digital accreditation, by ASUP, lecturers

    How to implement NBTE’s digital accreditation, by ASUP, lecturers

    The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has encouraged polytechnics, other technical institutions and stakeholders under its regulatory purview to embrace technology-driven digitalisation processes for its new digital accreditation. But, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) President, Mr. Shammah Kpanja and other lecturers have listed ways to transit from physical accreditation to a digital model for an efficient, effective and transparent quality assurance exercise, Bola Olajuwon, Assistant Editor, and Damola Kola-Dare report

    The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has announced that, effective from this month, there will be no more physical accreditation or other quality assurance activities in the institutions under its purview.

    The NBTE, in a statement by the Head of Media Unit, Fatima Abubakar, said the board had fully transitioned to a digital platform for all quality assurance processes in accordance with the Federal Government’s digital-driven policies.

    She added that this was also in line with the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

    According to her, the digitalisation policy has recorded success, with a substantial increase in institutions, with stakeholders engaging the digital system now totaling 489.

    She said the board had also completed digital assessments and documentation processes for 17 institutions across the six geo-political zones, with approvals granted accordingly.

    “Digital monitoring has been introduced to ensure strict compliance with established standards.

    “The NBTE’s digitalisation drive, led by the Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje, aims to deliver more efficient, effective, and transparent quality assurance processes, ensuring cost-effectiveness and integrity,” Abubakar  said.

    Board and technology-driven quality assurance process for TVET institutions

    The board had also unveiled a technology-driven quality assurance process for Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. This approach leverages technology in all quality assurance activities, reduces personnel deployment, and minimises physical contact, it was gathered.

    “This transition has led to a significant increase in digital activities on the platform and has been largely successful. Some of the successes recorded so far by the digitalisation policy of the board include increased engagement, completion of digital assessment and digital monitoring,” the NBTE said.

    Based on the new initiative, the NBTE encouraged polytechnics, other technical institutions, and relevant stakeholders under its regulatory purview to embrace the technology-driven digitalisation processes for a more efficient, effective, and transparent quality assurance exercise.

    How to effectively implement new strategy, by ASUP, poly lecturers

    Concerned Nigerians are questioning whether the board has deployed necessary digitalisation infrastructure for quality assurance monitoring.  They queried whether the board had acquired the appropriate ICT facilities; trained its personnel; ensured that the institutions are adequately sensitised on the way and manner the digitalisation process will be implemented.

    Commenting on this, President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Mr. Shammah Kpanja, said the digitalisation drive of the NBTE was a welcome development in this era of technology. He, however, called on the board to put certain measures in place to ensure a seamless operation.

    Kpanja urged the board to acquire the appropriate ICT facilities, train its personnel adequately; ensure that the institutions are properly sensitised on the way and manner the digitalisation process will be done.

    He said: “As you already know, we are now in the era of digitalisation. Therefore, the effort by NBTE to adopt digitalisation in the accreditation of programmes in polytechnics and monotechnics is a welcome development.

    Read Also: Fed Govt, NBTE, others back establishment of National Polytechnics Commission

    “However, there are basic things the board should ensure are put into consideration before digitalisation is deployed in the quality assurance monitoring. Some of these things are: the board should acquire appropriate ICT facilities in its office; train its personnel; ensure that the institutions are adequately sensitised on the way and manner the digitalisation process will be done.

    “I believe if some of these things are done with due diligence, the digitalisation process will be done seamlessly.”

    For ASUP Chairman, Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic (AAPOLY), Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, Comrade Kotoye Afolabi, there will be initial problems and glitches, because the process is data-intensive. According to him, there will be uncertainty among institution heads as to how it will work out. He noted that the efforts and desire of institutions would make it succeed in the long run.

    “Whatever human beings start will always have issues surrounding it; sometimes, we call it teething problems. So, the digital accreditation might not be an exception. I expect that, once that kind of thing kicks off, there will be initial teething problems, technical issues and bureaucratic issues. l am aware there will be initial problems. I also expect it to succeed in the long run, if all the stakeholders are sincere enough and really want it to work. We in the polytechnic sector can make it work.

    “Teething problems, based on the accreditation format, may be data intensive. So, we expect technical glitches from institutions. Then, there is bound to be uncertainty among institution heads. There’s that sense of uncertainty; nobody knows how it is going to work out. So, all of them are trying to play safe, one way or the other. Many of the rectors and institution heads will not want to be used as scape-goats for the kind of project because they don’t know the format it is going to take.

    “But if we find one or two institutions who can risk it, I think it will be worthwhile at the end of the day. While NBTE is saying it will reduce overhead, cut cost and reduce travelling, at the end, it might not be so . We will see as time goes on. By and large, I expect initial problems and I also expect we in the polytechnic sector will make it work, if we put our hearts to it,” he said.

    For former ASUP President, Anderson Ezeibe, a policy document on the process is imperative for proper assessment. He said a policy document would show its feasibility and if it would be 100 per cent digitalisation or whether it will involve physical activities.

    He said: “One can only interrogate that position if we get the policy document on it. We have not seen the policy document. We don’t know if it has been made public or issued to institutions. However, on face value, it sounds good that the processes will be cost effective and efficient. It is when we see the policy document that is when we can assess the feasibility of the 100 per cent digitalisation of the process,  whether it would be digital in part or also involve some form of physical exercise. So, it’s when we see the policy document, then we can see how effective it will be. For now, we don’t have a position because we have not been fully involved in it as per the policy document.”

  • NBTE to accredit NiMet diploma courses

    NBTE to accredit NiMet diploma courses

    National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) is set to inspect facilities at Regional Training Centre (RTC) of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in Oshodi-Lagos.
    This followed application for accreditation of diploma courses at the centre by NiMet.
    Director General of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, in a statement yesterday by the agency, said accreditation will expand the centre.
    He said: “NiMet not only provides weather information, but also trains manpower in meteorology and climate sciences.

    Read Also: NBTE to inspect NIMET training centre for accreditation


    “World Meteorological Organisation Regional Training Centre (WMO RTC), Oshodi, Lagos, established in 1957, is responsible for meteorological manpower training for NiMet.
    “Over the years, the centre has been running and issuing only certificates courses because it has no national monitoring and accrediting body.
    “To further fortify and expand its training horizon, we approached NBTE, Kaduna, to express interest in running diploma programmes in National Diploma Meteorology and National Diploma Climate Change Science.
    “NBTE has approved the advisory/resources inspection visit to the centre as a precursor to running of ND programmes”.

  • NBTE to inspect NIMET training centre for accreditation

    NBTE to inspect NIMET training centre for accreditation

    The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) will undertake an inspection visit of the facilities at the Regional Training Centre (RTC) of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) at Oshodi-Lagos.

    This followed an application for accreditation of National Diploma courses offered at the Centre by NiMet.

    According to the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike, “The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) is saddled with the responsibility of not only providing weather information but also training manpower in the fields of Meteorology and Climate Sciences. The World Meteorological Organisation Regional Training Centre (WMO RTC) Oshodi, Lagos established in 1957, is responsible for the Meteorological Manpower Training for NiMet.

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    “Over the years, the WMO RTC has been running and issuing only certificate courses because it has no national monitoring and accrediting body. This is not good enough.”

    He added: “To further fortify and expand the training horizon of the WMO RTC, we approached the Management of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Kaduna, to express interest in running Diploma Programmes in ND Meteorology and ND Climate Change Science. 

    “NBTE has approved the advisory/resources inspection visit to the RTC Oshodi as a precursor to the running of the ND programmes at the RTC, Oshodi, Lagos.”

  • NBTE, HYPERTECH sign MoU to train Almajiri children on skills

    NBTE, HYPERTECH sign MoU to train Almajiri children on skills

    The National Board for Technical Education and HYPERTECH Nigeria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to train Almajiri and other out-of-school children across the north on skills acquisition towards national development.

    The purpose, the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, said shortly after the signing of the MoU in Kaduna, was to address the Almajiri challenges, uplift the number of out-of-school children and youth unemployment across the north and beyond.

    According to Bugaje, HYPERTECH will fund the project while the Board will provide the technical know-how, using local content.

    He noted that the partnership would allow them to train youth across the North-East, Kaduna, and other parts of the region (north).

    This, he added, would move up the unemployed youth and give them skills to fit into national projects such as the Mambilla Hydroelectric power and the upcoming railway expansion and other projects across the country for the nation’s economic growth.

    He said: “We have signed a MoU today with HYPERTECH. The purpose is to de-escalate and entrenched skills training in local content. HYPERTECH is the national consultant on local content for Mambilla Hydroelectric power projects and for many other projects across Nigeria.

    “We would like to train local youth across areas in North-East, Kaduna, and other parts of the North so that we can move up the unemployed youth and give them skills to let them fit into national projects like the Mambilla Hydroelectric power project and the upcoming railway expansion and several other projects across Nigeria.

    “Even Almajiri are going to be trained. They don’t need to have a Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSCE) to have skill training. The Almajiri across the country, almost 15 million of them, will be mobilised, trained, and given skills with certification and they can fit into infrastructure projects.”

    He added that thousands of the Almajiri and out-of-school children as well as school drop-outs would benefit from the programme which would take place at the Government Technical College, Malali, and other designated centres across the state and even beyond.

    “The implementation is through the identified training centres. Here in Kaduna, we have identified Government Technical College, Malali, and in every state, we are going to identify appropriate centres.

    “HYPERTECH is going to facilitate the training and we are going to provide the necessary quality assurance. We know the sector in councils involved and they are being informed. They will also be brought on board and with the funding coming from HYPERTECH, we can roll out training across the country.

    “The out-of-school children will fit into this agenda. They don’t need to have any qualifications. The Almajiri and all others can fit into this agenda. Many of them have very high potential to learn certain skills and we are going to give them this opportunity,” he added.

    Also speaking, the managing director of HYPERTECH, Mohammed Mustapha said the MoU was expected to benefit thousands of Almajiri and out-of-school children as well as the unemployed youth.

    He noted that the objective of the MoU was skewed towards national development.

    Read Also: NBTE introduces mandatory skills qualification in polytechnics

    He said: “We are here to sign MoU with the NBTE in the advancement of the local content policy and also by extension with our corporate social responsibility, the Arewa Foundation which is focusing on the uplift of the Almajiri programmes in line with the current development of the Almajiri commission.”

    Among other projects being targeted, he said, was the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power project set to generate 3,050 Megawatts of Hydroelectric power, signed off by the Nigeria and Chinese governments that are working towards implementation.

    “We are targeting three different projects. We have a national project in view which is the Mambilla Hydro-power project that is set to generate 3,050 MW of Hydroelectricity power projects and also signed off by the Nigerian and Chinese governments that are working towards implementation.

  • NBTE introduces mandatory skills qualification in polytechnics

    NBTE introduces mandatory skills qualification in polytechnics

    The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has introduced a Mandatory Skills Qualification (MSQ) as a graduation requirement for all newly reviewed National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) curricula.

    The board said the introduction is in line with global trends, especially as skill acquisition, is now central to the training of young Nigerians in polytechnics.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja by the board’s Head of Media, Hajiya Fatimah Abubakar, explained that diploma holders would now graduate with a National Skills Qualification (NSQ) or its equivalent, as an additional certification.

    Read Also: Experts: how Nigeria can gain from new maritime territory

    According to her, this means the MSQ is a requirement for all diploma programmes and must be attained before graduation.

    She described the NSQ as a certification system designed to assess and recognise the skills and competencies of individuals in various fields.

    Abubakar said the certification focuses on vocational skills and is typically obtained through vocational training programmes, apprenticeships, and assessments conducted by approved skill assessment bodies.

    “NSQ aims to bridge the gap between formal education and industry needs by providing individuals with practical skills relevant to the job market.

    “The dual certification of obtaining both an NSQ and an ND in Nigeria offers several benefits, including a comprehensive skill set, increased employability, versatility, professional recognition, and career progression,” she said.

    The agency’s media chief said the dual certification opens doors for career advancement as well as provides a strong foundation for upward mobility and career growth.