By Kwin Israel, The Sight News
The Federal Government has inaugurated the Governing Board of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) after a five-year vacancy, with the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directing the new board to fast-track a national framework for certifying skilled artisans and overhaul technical education curricula to match Industry 4.0 standards.
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, Dr. Alausa said the appointments reflect President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which positions technical and vocational education (TVET) as central to Nigeria’s industrialisation and youth employment drive.
He described TVET as “a strategic national priority” rather than an alternative to university education, stressing that industrialisation depends on a strong pipeline of technicians, technologists and skilled tradespeople.
The Minister charged the Board to provide strategic leadership, fast-track the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme for skilled artisans and ensure transparency in the management of public resources.
He also urged polytechnics to strengthen science, engineering and technology programmes while gradually phasing out non-technical courses outside their core mandate.
Chairman of the Governing Board, Professor Babatunde Salako, pledged the Board’s commitment to repositioning technical education, promoting innovation and changing public perception of TVET as a second-choice option.
Meanwhile, the NBTE Executive Secretary, Professor Idris Bugaje, described the inauguration as a landmark development, noting that the agency now has a Governing Board for the first time in over five years.
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing far-reaching TVET reforms aimed at expanding access to quality technical education, creating jobs, boosting entrepreneurship and building a globally competitive workforce.
