The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) has begun a five-day review and validation exercise of 26 trade syllabi for technical colleges across Nigeria, aimed at modernizing vocational education and equipping students with globally relevant skills.
Speaking at the opening session in Abuja, NABTEB Registrar, Dr. Mohammed Mohammed, described the exercise as a “transformative initiative” that would ensure graduates remain competitive in the 21st-century workforce.
The revised syllabi cut across both traditional crafts and modern fields such as robotics, coding and machine learning, automotive mechatronics, and smart agriculture. Environmentally friendly trades like solar photovoltaic (PV) installations have also been included to promote sustainable development.
Dr. Mohammed emphasized the need for stronger collaboration with stakeholders, noting the partnership with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) as key to ensuring the new curriculum addresses real labor market demands.
Executive Secretary of the NBTE, Professor Idris Bugaje, represented by Hajia Hajara Abdulkadri, commended NABTEB for the review, describing it as a critical step in empowering Nigerian youths with future-ready skills.
Principals of Federal Technical Colleges, represented by Frank Omale, pledged their commitment to implementing the new curriculum, calling the review a “milestone” in advancing technical education and nurturing disciplined, skilled citizens.
Also speaking, the Director of Technology and Science Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Muyibat Olodu, said the reviewed syllabi would improve the quality and relevance of technical education in line with industry expectations and international benchmarks.
