Abuja: The Federal Government has inaugurated the Governing Board of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), charging members to drive reforms aimed at strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, gave the charge during the inauguration of the Board in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Alausa stated that the inauguration aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on education and human capital development as essential components of economic transformation. He emphasized that the government is repositioning the education sector to prioritize practical skills over paper qualifications, with the aim of producing competent graduates who can contribute to industrialization, entrepreneurship, and national productivity.
The minister highlighted the board members’ appointments as a testament to their professionalism and commitment to national service, expressing confidence in their ability to provide strategic leadership for NBTE’s regulatory mandate and to further technical education reforms. Alausa underscored the importance of TVET as a national priority, stressing that skilled professionals are crucial for meaningful industrialization.
He outlined four priority areas for the board: providing strategic leadership, accelerating the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) framework, modernizing curricula to reflect Industry 4.0 demands, and ensuring accountability in managing public resources. Alausa also directed the board to collaborate with stakeholders to recognize skilled artisans formally and integrate digital and advanced technologies into educational programs.
Responding on behalf of the board, Chairman Prof. Babatunde Salako expressed gratitude for the trust bestowed upon them and pledged their commitment to support government reforms. He emphasized changing public perceptions of technical education and promoting it as a viable path to employment and entrepreneurship.
Executive Secretary of NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, described the inauguration as a significant milestone, noting the board’s establishment after a five-year hiatus. He assured the minister of the board’s dedication to advancing the federal government’s TVET transformation agenda.