The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) has revealed that only 39 per cent of candidates who sat for the 2025 National Common Entrance Examination into Federal Technical Colleges scored 50 per cent and above. The startling revelation came on Wednesday in Benin City, Edo State, as NABTEB Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Aminu Mohammed, announced the release of the results, kicking off a three-day selection and placement exercise into federal technical institutions.
Out of a total of 24,074 candidates who sat for the examination, only 9,389 managed to attain a score of 50 per cent and above, indicating a worrying trend of low performance among candidates. Prof. Mohammed further disclosed that a mere 1.31 per cent of the candidates, just 316 students, scored 70 per cent and above in the technical and vocational-focused entrance examination.
“Furthermore, 14,685 candidates, representing 61 per cent, scored below 50 per cent, while only eight candidates, accounting for just 0.03 per cent, attained the highest performance benchmark,” he added. The dismal statistics raised concerns over the preparedness of primary school graduates and the general state of foundational education, especially in technical subjects.
As the selection and placement process commenced, the NABTEB boss urged all stakeholders, including school principals and ministry officials, to adhere strictly to a transparent, merit-based admission process. “I look forward to a fair, transparent and merit-based selection process that attracts the most talented and motivated students. By getting this process right, I am confident that we can set our students up for success and enhance the reputation of our institution,” he said.
Prof. Mohammed also praised the renewed drive by the Federal Government to reinvigorate Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across the country. He specifically acknowledged the vital support from the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Hon. Yusuf Sununu, in repositioning technical education as a viable route for national development.
Representing the Minister of Education at the event, Mrs. Muibat Olodo, Director of Technology and Science Education, reiterated the ministry’s commitment to strengthening TVET in Nigeria. She emphasized that the current administration is focused on policies that would improve learning outcomes, school infrastructure, and nationwide access to quality technical education despite existing challenges.
Dr. Alausa, in his address delivered by Mrs. Olodo, revealed that two additional Federal Technical Colleges had been established in Enugu and Plateau states. He explained that the move was part of a broader policy to ensure that each of Nigeria’s 36 states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, has at least one federal technical college.
“We are not relenting. Efforts are ongoing to establish three new federal technical colleges in underserved areas. This is part of our strategy to democratise access and equip young Nigerians with the skills and knowledge required for 21st-century jobs,” Alausa stated.
The opening ceremony of the placement exercise was attended by principals of Federal Technical Colleges from across the country, top officials from the Federal Ministry of Education, staff of NABTEB, and other education stakeholders. The atmosphere was one of urgency and reflection as many participants acknowledged the need to address the poor pass rates through early intervention and teacher training.
As the selection process progresses, stakeholders hope that merit and strategic thinking will drive admissions into the institutions, setting the tone for a more vibrant and productive future for technical education in Nigeria. The statistics, though sobering, have triggered renewed calls for investment in foundational education, with the hope that stronger pipelines will produce better-prepared candidates for technical colleges in the years to come.
