The Federal Government has announced plans to remove tuition fees for students in Federal Technical Colleges and directed a nationwide validation of students enrolled in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme.
Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, said the move is aimed at ensuring that no student enrolled in any Federal Technical College is burdened with tuition or other institutional fees that could hinder access to quality technical education.
Speaking at the T-31 student selection exercise for admission into Federal Technical Colleges, Alausa said technical education is critical to equipping young Nigerians with skills for employment, entrepreneurship and national development.
“I encourage all stakeholders to work collaboratively to ensure a seamless, credible, and successful admission process. Remain guided by the principles of equity, accountability, and excellence as you select the next generation of skilled technicians and craftsmen who will contribute meaningfully to Nigerian industrial and economic transformation,” he said.
The Registrar of NABTEB, Dr Mohammed Aminu, said the exercise was to ensure candidates who sat the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) are fairly and transparently placed into technical colleges in line with Federal Ministry of Education guidelines.
He disclosed that 10,426 candidates, representing 75.29 per cent, scored 50 per cent and above, while 5,708 candidates, representing 41.22 per cent, scored 70 per cent and above. Out of the 15,290 candidates who registered, 13,848 sat the examination nationwide.
“The selection and placement exercise will ensure that qualified candidates are offered admission based on merit, available vacancies, trade preferences and catchment considerations,” Aminu said.
