By Hassan Hussain
Independent monitoring of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) examinations has indicated that ongoing reforms by the Board are strengthening public confidence in technical and vocational education across the country.
The Chief Executive Officer of CSO Media Integrated Limited, Mr. Dominic Ogakwu, made this known in a report released after the firm’s assessment of the NABTEB Common Entrance Examination and the In-School Final Year Certificate Examinations.
According to the report, monitoring conducted at the Federal Government Technical School, Orozo, Abuja, and selected technical schools in Kebbi State showed that the examinations were orderly, transparent and professionally conducted.
It noted that candidates demonstrated confidence throughout the examinations, while administrators and invigilators discharged their responsibilities with discipline and integrity.
Mr. Ogakwu said the findings reflected growing public confidence in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a credible pathway to skills acquisition, employment and entrepreneurship.
He commended the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB, Dr. Mohammed Aminu, for introducing reforms aimed at strengthening the Board’s operations and restoring confidence in technical education.
The report attributed the improved perception to increased enrolment, expansion of accredited examination centres, improved examination monitoring and curriculum modernisation.
Mr. Ogakwu also called for sustained investment in technical and vocational education to equip young Nigerians with industry-relevant skills needed to drive national development.
He, however, identified inadequate funding, obsolete equipment, shortage of qualified instructors and negative societal perception of vocational education as major challenges facing the sector.
Mr. Ogakwu urged governments and other stakeholders to sustain support for technical education as a strategy for industrialisation, job creation and economic growth.
NABTEB, established in 1992, conducts examinations leading to the award of the National Technical Certificate, National Business Certificate and other technical qualifications.
