NABTEB Conducts Exams for 67,751 Candidates Nationwide, Announces New Skills Framework
He announced the upcoming launch of a National Skills Framework, aimed at enhancing skills acquisition across all educational levels in Nigeria.
AKACHI NOEL 
The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) is conducting its 2024 May/June National Technical Certificate (NTC) and National Business Certificate (NBC) examinations for 67,751 candidates across Nigeria.
Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, monitored the examinations at Government Science and Technical College in Area 3, Abuja. He announced the upcoming launch of a National Skills Framework, aimed at enhancing skills acquisition across all educational levels in Nigeria. The framework is set to be officially launched in September and will be implemented in schools from basic to tertiary levels.
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The initiative follows President Bola Tinubu’s approval of comprehensive educational reforms, encapsulated in the DOTS policy: Data Repository, Out-of-School Children Education, Teacher Training & Development, and Skill Development & Acquisition. This policy aims to improve learning and skill development, increase enrollment, and ensure academic security.
Professor Mamman emphasized the importance of skill acquisition, noting that it would address unemployment and support Nigeria’s development by building middle-class manpower. He commended NABTEB’s Registrar, Professor Ifeoma Isiugo-Abanihe, for the smooth conduct of the exams and highlighted the government's focus on technical and vocational education.
Professor Isiugo-Abanihe reported a higher registration of candidates compared to last year, attributing the increase to ongoing awareness efforts among parents, students, and stakeholders. She mentioned that graduates receive dual certificates, which enhance their job prospects and opportunities for further education.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Didi Walson-Jack, praised NABTEB for the well-organized examinations but expressed concern over the low registration of female candidates. She urged parents and teachers to encourage girls to pursue education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
The new skills framework aims to bridge the skills gap, reduce learning poverty, and combat graduate unemployment, ensuring that students acquire practical skills to become self-reliant and employable.
