NEWS
TVET Revival: President Tinubu’s Reforms Drive Massive Enrollment Surge as Uganda Seeks Partnership with Nigeria
For many years, enrolment figures into Nigeria’s Technical Colleges were low, largely due to societal and parental apathy toward Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). These institutions gradually shifted focus, becoming more science-based rather than centers for practical skill acquisition, a trend that drew repeated concern from the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), which consistently lamented the declining attention to technical education.
However, a major turnaround began last year following decisive reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu. The renewed focus on TVET repositioned it as a cornerstone for national development, triggering a significant surge in interest among prospective students seeking admission into both Federal and State Technical Colleges.
As part of the reforms, Federal Science and Technical Colleges were rebranded as Federal Technical Colleges, while enrolment into Junior Secondary Schools within the colleges was discontinued. These changes were complemented by a range of incentives aimed at attracting students, including free tuition, a monthly stipend of ₦22,500, and start-up support packages upon graduation.
The impact has been striking. Admission figures for the 2025/2026 academic session recorded a dramatic increase of 287.76%. While 7,546 students enrolled for the TVET examination in 2024, the number surged to 29,260 in 2025 following the implementation of the new policies.
To ensure effective delivery of the initiative, the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) was introduced into technical education, enabling a dual-mode system and dual certification through NABTEB assessments. This framework aims to align technical training with industry standards while enhancing employability.
In a further boost to Nigeria’s growing reputation in technical education, the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) commenced a five-day study visit to Nigeria on Monday to examine the country’s TVET architecture.
Leading the Ugandan delegation, Chairperson of the Finance, Human Resource & Administration Committee, Engr. Albert Akovuku, explained that Nigeria was deliberately chosen due to its well-established and evolving TVET system.
“We have specifically chosen Nigeria for this engagement because your TVET architecture, pioneered and refined by the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), serves as a sophisticated blueprint for our own reforms.
“We recognize NABTEB’s decades-long contribution to Nigeria’s economic resilience, a journey that precedes and inspires Uganda’s current transformation.
“Our aspirations are anchored in Uganda’s Vision 2040. We seek to move beyond theory, transitioning toward a digital, industry-led, and competency-based assessment model that empowers our workforce to solve real-world problems.”
Engr. Akovuku also expressed optimism that the engagement would lead to deeper collaboration between both countries.
“Such an agreement will not only formalize our collaboration but will serve as a cornerstone for a sustainable, bilateral TVET framework that benefits the youth of both Uganda and Nigeria.
“Honorable Minister, we are ready to learn, to share, and to build together.”
Responding, the Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB, Dr. Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, emphasized the need for a structured roadmap that would strengthen TVET assessment systems across both nations. He called for enhanced cooperation and mutual learning between Nigeria and Uganda.
According to him, “This visit carries an extraordinary significance not just for NABTEB and UVTAB as institutions, but for the broader TVET landscape across the African continent.
“Nigeria and Uganda are two great nations united by a shared vision to harness the transformative power of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a catalyst for sustainable economic development, youth empowerment, and social inclusion.
“This benchmarking visit is a deliberate, strategic engagement of minds, a convergence of purpose, and the beginning of what promises to be a robust and enduring partnership.”
He further noted that Africa’s development ambitions cannot be realized without a strong, credible, and well-coordinated TVET framework, describing the collaboration between NABTEB and UVTAB as a step in the right direction.
Also speaking, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, described the visit as a reflection of a shared commitment to strengthening technical education systems across Africa. Represented by Assistant Director of Technology and Science Education, Mr. Kolawole Osundeyi, the Minister highlighted ongoing government efforts to upgrade infrastructure, modernize curricula, and improve teacher capacity across Federal and State Technical Colleges.
“In an era defined by rapid technological change, evolving labour market demands, and increasing global interdependence, collaboration among sister institutions such as UVTAB and NABTEB is both strategic and necessary.
“I commend the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) for this initiative and for choosing NABTEB as a partner in this important exercise.
“It is therefore my expectation that this benchmarking visit will produce actionable outcomes, deepen institutional linkages, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of TVET in our respective countries.”
The renewed emphasis on technical education, backed by policy reforms and international collaboration, signals a transformative shift in Nigeria’s approach to skills development, one that could redefine the future of its workforce and strengthen its position as a leader in vocational training across Africa.