The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) has announced a significant increase in enrolment figures for the 2025 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) common entrance examination into federal technical colleges across the country.

The examination, which held nationwide on Saturday, June 14, saw a total of 29,260 candidates registered, compared to 7,547 in 2024, according to NABTEB Registrar, Mohammed Aminu Mohammed.

Mohammed, represented by Osaigbovo Pius, Director of Research and Quality Assurance at NABTEB, disclosed the figures while monitoring the exercise at the Federal Science and Technical College, Uromi, Edo State.

“You can see the large turnout for the examination. Before now, the enrolment for the exams has been low. We have over 500 students taking it right now. It is massive across the nation,” Pius said.

He attributed the surge to the renewed emphasis placed on technical education by the federal government. He also said the digitalisation of the examination process has made it more seamless and accessible for applicants.

According to him, the results of the 2025 entrance examination will be released within three weeks. He added that successful candidates will be eligible for government-backed student loans, as part of broader efforts to expand access to vocational education.

Pius noted that candidates who complete their training will receive the NABTEB certificates, including the National Technical Certificate (NTC) and the Mastery-Based Certificate (MBC), while the National Skills Qualification (NSQ) certificate will be awarded based on demonstrated competence.

He also disclosed that the federal government plans to extend the TVET programme to more schools nationwide.

Last month, the government formally relaunched the TVET initiative in Abuja as part of its agenda to strengthen skills-based education and tackle youth unemployment.