The Federal Government has announced that over 67,751 candidates are now taking the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) examination.
Prof. Ifeoma Isiugo-Abanihe, Registrar/Chief Executive of NABTEB, said this while accompanying the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, to observe the ongoing examination in Abuja on Wednesday.
Speaking after visiting Government Science Technical College in Garki, Abuja, the Registrar stated that the NABTEB examination is technical and business-oriented, hence there are less candidates compared to general secondary schools.
“But this year, it’s a little better. We have 67,751 candidates, which is a little bit of increase this year.
“So, there is enlightenment going on about the importance of skills. The certificate is very crucial as it gives students room to go anywhere and progress.”
Earlier, the Minister of Education Prof. Mamman emphasised the need for technical education, saying that the Ministry was already investing in the area to address the problem of quality and unemployment.
“We have federal government technical colleges which we have fixed to provide these types of training but at the moment, one of the major policies that we are set to put through the educational system, whether it is at the state level, private secondary schools or public is the introduction of skills in all schools right from primary.
“Every institution will be required to provide various skills test for students and we are working towards September for the commencement of these things,” the Minister stated.