By Felix Khanoba
Minister of Education, Dr.Maruf Tunji Alausa, has reaffirmed Federal Government’s commitment to transforming Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) into a major driver of industrialisation, economic growth and youth empowerment with the inauguration of the Governing Board of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister said the move marks another milestone in the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places education and human capital development at the centre of Nigeria’s economic transformation.
A statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Ikharo Attah, said the minister revealed that the administration is repositioning the nation’s education system to prioritise practical skills over paper qualifications, with the goal of producing graduates capable of driving industrial development, innovation, entrepreneurship and national productivity.
Alausa congratulated the chairman and members of the newly inaugurated board, describing their appointments as a testament to their professionalism, integrity and dedication to national service. He expressed confidence that the board would provide the strategic leadership required to strengthen NBTE’s regulatory mandate, deepen reforms in technical education and support the Federal Government’s objective of building a globally competitive workforce.
The minister stressed that TVET should no longer be viewed as an alternative to university education but as a critical pillar for national development.
He observed that meaningful industrialisation cannot be achieved without a strong pool of skilled technicians, technologists, artisans, fabricators, machine operators, automation specialists and other professionals needed to power modern industries.
To bridge the gap between education and industry, he said the government has continued to invest in reforms designed to equip students in technical colleges, polytechnics, colleges of education and universities with practical skills that will enhance employment opportunities, entrepreneurship and global competitiveness.
Alausa outlined four priority areas for the new board, urging members to provide effective policy direction and strategic oversight while allowing the Executive Secretary and management team to handle the institution’s daily operations.
He also directed the board to accelerate the implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) framework in partnership with the Industrial Training Fund and other stakeholders to enable skilled artisans obtain formal certification under the National Skills Qualification Framework.
The minister explained that the initiative would improve employability, increase access to financing, create opportunities for government contracts and facilitate labour mobility within the ECOWAS sub-region.
On curriculum development, Dr. Alausa called for the adoption of Outcome-Based Education and the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies, including artificial intelligence, automation, digital technologies, advanced manufacturing and green technologies.
He further urged institutions under NBTE’s supervision to strengthen programmes in applied sciences, engineering, technology and innovation while gradually phasing out non-technical courses that fall outside the statutory mandate of polytechnics.
The minister also emphasised the need for prudent financial management, directing the board to ensure that public funds, research projects and institutional investments produce measurable improvements in skills development, institutional performance, youth employment and national productivity.
Responding on behalf of the board, its Chairman, Professor Babatunde L. Salako, expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Education for the confidence reposed in the members.
He described the inauguration as the beginning of a new era for technical education in Nigeria and commended Dr. Alausa for assembling a team capable of repositioning the sector.
Professor Salako pledged the board’s commitment to supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda and the minister’s reform initiatives, assuring that members would work to expand opportunities for young Nigerians to acquire relevant technical skills while promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
He also identified changing the public perception of technical education as a key responsibility of the board, stressing the need for sustained awareness campaigns to encourage parents, students and the public to embrace TVET as a viable route to employment, entrepreneurship and national development.
Delivering the vote of thanks, NBTE Executive Secretary and Secretary to the Governing Board, Professor Idris M. Bugaje, thanked the minister for inaugurating the board after more than five years without one.
He described the development as a landmark achievement and assured the minister of the board’s commitment to maintaining a productive relationship with the Federal Ministry of Education in implementing the administration’s TVET transformation agenda.
Formally inaugurating the board on behalf of President Tinubu, Dr. Alausa charged members to discharge their responsibilities with wisdom, integrity and dedication, noting that the future of Nigeria’s technical education system and a significant aspect of the country’s economic competitiveness would depend on their leadership.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to strengthen TVET as a catalyst for industrialisation, innovation and sustainable economic growth, adding that the ministry would work closely with the board to implement reforms, improve regulatory standards, expand access to quality technical education and build a workforce equipped for the demands of a modern economy.
