The Federal Government has inaugurated the Governing Board of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) after more than five years without one, marking a significant step in efforts to reposition technical education in Nigeria.
The inauguration took place in Abuja, where the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, unveiled a fresh reform agenda aimed at making Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) a major driver of industrialisation, job creation and economic growth.
Alausa described the inauguration as a key milestone in implementing President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which places education and human capital development at the centre of Nigeria's economic transformation.
The minister said the administration is deliberately shifting the country's education system away from excessive dependence on academic certificates toward practical skills that meet industry demands.
According to him, Nigeria requires a workforce equipped with technical competence, innovation and entrepreneurial skills to compete effectively in the global economy.
He expressed confidence that the newly inaugurated board possesses the experience and professionalism required to provide strategic leadership for the NBTE.
Alausa urged members of the board to accelerate reforms that will modernise technical education curricula and strengthen collaboration between training institutions and industries.
He also tasked the board with expanding the certification of skilled artisans and technicians while ensuring Nigerian graduates possess competencies that match international standards.
The minister stressed that technical and vocational education should no longer be regarded as a second-choice pathway but as a strategic national priority essential for sustainable development.
He noted that no country can achieve meaningful industrialisation without a strong base of technicians, technologists, machine operators, automation specialists, fabricators and other skilled professionals.
Alausa said the Federal Government has already prioritised the TVET sector through sustained investments and policy reforms designed to bridge the gap between education and industry.
He added that the reforms are intended to equip learners with practical skills that promote employment, entrepreneurship and national productivity.
The minister also appealed to parents, students and the wider public to embrace technical and vocational education as a respected and rewarding career pathway.
In his remarks, NBTE Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje, described the inauguration as historic because the agency had operated without a governing board for more than five years.
Bugaje said restoring the board would strengthen institutional governance and improve the implementation of policies aimed at transforming Nigeria's technical education sector.
Education stakeholders believe the return of the governing board will enhance strategic planning, improve regulatory oversight and support ongoing reforms within polytechnics, technical colleges and other vocational institutions.
The development comes as the Federal Government continues to reposition TVET as a critical pillar for addressing youth unemployment and building a globally competitive workforce.
Officials expressed optimism that the new board would help accelerate reforms capable of producing highly skilled graduates who can contribute meaningfully to Nigeria's industrial growth and economic development.