Nigeria sees sharp drop in technical college entrance exam candidates

Nigeria experienced a sharp decline in participation for the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination for admission into Federal and State Technical Colleges, with only 15,281 candidates taking the test on Saturday. This figure represents a significant drop from the 29,260 students who enrolled for the examination in 2025, raising questions about the appeal of technical education.

Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB), cited "subject consolidation and consideration of colleges' carrying capacity" as the primary reasons for the reduced registration numbers. Despite this decrease, the examination was conducted across 203 centers nationwide. Preliminary reports indicated a smooth and orderly process, with candidates and officials cooperating professionally.

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A total of 15,281 candidates registered for the National Common Entrance Examination, which is taking place in 203 centres nationwide. Of this total enrolment, 10,626 candidates are male, while 4,655 are female. Enugu State tops the list with the highest enrolment of 1,506 candidates, while Zamfara has the lowest enrolment of 14 candidates.

The Nigerian government, under President Bola Tinubu, has been actively promoting Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a crucial pathway for national development and youth empowerment. Initiatives include offering incentives such as free tuition, a monthly stipend of N22,500, and a start-up package for graduates. This push aims to enhance skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and economic self-reliance among the youth.

Enugu State recorded the highest number of candidates with 1,506, while Zamfara State had the lowest enrollment with just 14 candidates. The examination results are expected to be released within 21 days. The NABTEB registrar emphasized the government's commitment to strengthening TVET and ensuring a seamless, transparent, and credible examination process. The overall male enrollment was 10,626, with 4,655 female candidates.

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Preliminary reports received from our monitoring officers and stakeholders indicate that the examination commenced smoothly in most centres, with candidates conducting themselves in an orderly manner and examination officials discharging their responsibilities professionally.