NABTEB bombshell: Over 60% fail 2025 Federal Technical Colleges entrance exam

By Jethro Ibileke

The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) has announced the results of the 2025 National Common Entrance Examination into Federal Technical Colleges (FTCs), conducted on June 14 across 203 centres nationwide.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a three-day selection and placement exercise in Benin City, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB, Dr Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, revealed that 29,200 candidates sat for the examination.

He, however, said only 24,074 were deemed eligible for scoring.

Of this number, 9,389 candidates, representing 39 percent, scored 50 percent and above. Just 316 candidates, or 1.31 percent, attained a score of 70 percent and above. Meanwhile, 14,685 candidates (61 percent) scored below 50 percent. The top-tier performers included only eight candidates, accounting for a mere 0.03 percent.

Mohammed urged stakeholders involved in the selection process, including heads of Federal Technical Colleges, officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, and NABTEB staff, to ensure a merit-driven and transparent placement of students.

He emphasised the need to admit candidates best suited for the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme.

“I look forward to a fair, transparent and merit-based selection process that attracts the most talented and motivated students,” he stated.

“By getting this process right, I am confident we can set our students up for success and enhance the reputation of our institutions.”

He also praised the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to TVET and acknowledged the support of the Minister of Education and the Minister of State for Education in advancing technical education in Nigeria.

Delivering a goodwill message, Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, represented by the Director of Technology and Science Education, Dr (Mrs) Muibat Olodo, called on administrators to fully implement federal policies aimed at improving access and quality in the education sector.

Alausa disclosed that the Ministry had recently established two new FTCs in Enugu and Plateau states and was working towards opening three more to ensure that each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory has at least one federal technical college.