The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) has commenced the review and validation of 26 trade syllabi for technical colleges across Nigeria. The five-day exercise, which began in Abuja on Monday, is aimed at updating the country’s technical education curriculum to meet global standards. NABTEB’s Registrar, Dr. Mohammed Mohammed, said the move would better equip students with practical skills relevant to today’s economy and prepare them for emerging opportunities in both traditional and modern sectors.

According to him, the revised syllabi cover a wide range of fields, from robotics, coding, and machine learning to automotive mechatronics, smart agriculture, electrical and solar PV installations, as well as cinematography. He noted that the inclusion of environmentally conscious programmes, particularly solar PV and smart agriculture, underscores NABTEB’s commitment to sustainable development and the need to align education with the nation’s economic future.

Dr. Mohammed further praised the collaboration between NABTEB and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), describing it as a model of inter-agency partnership for advancing technical and vocational training. He also highlighted the crucial role of industry stakeholders in shaping the curriculum to address labour market demands, urging them to strengthen contributions through internships, mentorship, and workplace-based learning for students.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, represented by Hajia Hajara Abdulkadri, stressed that successful implementation of the reviewed syllabi in technical colleges would be vital to Nigeria’s vocational education system. He described the initiative as a strategic step toward empowering young Nigerians with skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing economy, while NABTEB pledged continuous support through teacher training, assessment tools, and rigorous quality assurance mechanisms.