The Federal Government has inaugurated the NBTE governing board after more than five years without one. It unveiled a reform agenda aimed at strengthening technical and vocational education in Nigeria.
According to Punch, Minister of Education Tunji Alausa inaugurated the board in Abuja on Thursday. He directed its members to accelerate reforms that would align technical education with the needs of industries.
Alausa said the inauguration marked another major step in implementing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. This initiative places education and human capital development at the centre of Nigeria’s economic transformation.
He explained that the government was moving the education system away from excessive dependence on academic certificates. Furthermore, the new approach will focus more on producing competent, innovative and skilled graduates who can support industrialisation, entrepreneurship and job creation.
“The inauguration of this governing board is another significant milestone in the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
The minister congratulated the chairman and other members. He described their appointments as recognition of their professionalism, integrity and commitment to national service.
He expressed confidence that the board would provide the strategic leadership needed to strengthen NBTE’s mandate. The board is also expected to deepen reforms across the technical education sector.
Technical education declared national priority
Alausa said Technical and Vocational Education and Training should no longer be regarded as an alternative. It should not be reserved only for people who cannot pursue university education.
He described TVET as a strategic national priority. Notably, industrialisation depends on a strong workforce of technicians, artisans, technologists, machine operators and other skilled professionals.
“No nation can achieve meaningful industrialisation without a strong base of technicians, technologists, artisans, fabricators, automation specialists, machine operators and other skilled professionals,” he said.
The minister added that the government had increased its attention to technical education. The aim is to close the gap between schools and industries.
He said learners must receive practical training that prepares them for employment, entrepreneurship and competition within the global economy.
NBTE governing board receives four priorities
Alausa outlined four priorities for the NBTE governing board. These include strategic leadership, effective oversight and the responsible management of public resources.
He also directed the board to accelerate the Recognition of Prior Learning initiative. This effort should happen in collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund and other stakeholders.
The initiative will formally assess and certify the competencies of artisans who acquired their skills outside conventional schools.
According to the minister, certification under the National Skills Qualification Framework could improve the employability of artisans. In addition, the certification could expand their access to finance and government contracts.
He added that recognised qualifications could also make it easier for skilled Nigerians to work across countries. This is especially true within the Economic Community of West African States.
Curricula to include AI, automation
The minister also ordered a comprehensive review of technical education curricula through Outcome-Based Education.
He said programmes offered by technical institutions must reflect modern industrial requirements and prepare students for emerging opportunities.
The revised curricula are expected to incorporate artificial intelligence, automation, digital technology, green technology and advanced manufacturing.
Alausa urged polytechnics to gradually reduce non-technical programmes that fall outside their statutory responsibilities.
He asked the institutions to concentrate more on engineering, technology, applied sciences and other courses connected to their original mandate.
The minister also called for transparency and accountability in the management of capital projects, intervention funds and research initiatives.
“Public resources, capital projects, intervention funds, research initiatives and institutional investments must translate into measurable improvements in skills acquisition, institutional performance, youth employment and national productivity,” he said.
Salako promises measurable results
Responding on behalf of the board, its chairman, Prof. Babatunde Salako, thanked Tinubu and Alausa for the confidence placed in the members.
Salako said the inauguration represented the beginning of a new phase for technical education in Nigeria.
“This inauguration marks the beginning of a new chapter for technical education in Nigeria,” he said.
“We will work diligently to expand opportunities for young Nigerians to acquire relevant technical skills, promote innovation and nurture a new generation of entrepreneurs and job creators.”
He identified changing the public perception of technical education as one of the board’s immediate priorities.
Salako said parents, students and other members of society must begin to recognise TVET as a respected route to employment, entrepreneurship and national development.
He promised that the board would justify the confidence placed in it through dedicated service, effective governance and measurable achievements.
Bugaje describes inauguration as historic
NBTE Executive Secretary Prof. Idris Bugaje described the inauguration as historic. He noted that the agency had operated without a governing board for more than five years.
He credited the development to what he described as the minister’s commitment to repositioning technical education.
“This is a landmark achievement that reflects the Honourable Minister’s decisive leadership and unwavering commitment to repositioning technical education in Nigeria,” Bugaje said.
He assured the minister that the new board would work closely with the Federal Ministry of Education. Their focus is to implement the government’s TVET reform programme.
The inauguration comes as the government expands investments in technical colleges, skills acquisition programmes and industry-based curriculum development.
It is also pursuing plans to certify skilled artisans through the Recognition of Prior Learning framework. This action is part of efforts to reduce unemployment and close Nigeria’s skills gap.
