Benin: The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) has established a collaboration with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to digitise its examination processes and revamp its ICT infrastructure. NABTEB’s Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Aminu Mohammed, stated that the partnership was formalised on April 29 during a meeting with NASENI representatives at the NABTEB headquarters in Benin.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the planned upgrade aims to streamline the board’s operations, enhance examination security, and comply with the Federal Government’s directives for full digitisation of examinations by 2026. Dr. Mohammed highlighted NABTEB’s role as a national examination body responsible for various tasks including registration, question paper development, conduct of craft and master craft examinations, marking scripts, processing results, and awarding certificates. This necessitates a robust ICT infrastructure to fulfill its mandate.
Dr. Mohammed emphasized the importance of strengthening the board’s ICT capabilities, especially with the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, advocating for functional education and urging examination bodies to adopt Computer-Based Testing by 2026 in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He recalled a prior meeting with NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Khalil Halilu, in Abuja, where Halilu pledged to assist NABTEB in establishing a dedicated digital ICT department. Dr. Mohammed praised Halilu’s commitment, noting the promise to deliver a fully equipped ICT building to NABTEB within six months.
Expressing optimism, Dr. Mohammed stated that NASENI’s support would equip NABTEB with the necessary infrastructure to maintain the integrity, efficiency, and relevance of its examinations in the digital era. Mr. Bashir Aliyu, Special Adviser on Emerging Technology to NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman, assured NABTEB of the agency’s full support in its digitisation efforts, emphasizing the importance of relying on ICT for advancement.
News Agency of Nigeria also reported that upon assuming office in March, the new NABTEB registrar expressed his dedication to digitising the examination process, noting that this initiative would reduce human errors, shorten processing times, and improve overall operational efficiency.