The Nigerian Government, reaffirming its commitment to free technical education and skills development, has announced the commencement of applications for admission into tuition-free Federal Technical Colleges across the country, aimed at enhancing skills development.
The announcement was made by the Federal Ministry of Education following the approval of the initiative by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa.
A statement by the Director of Press of the ministry, Boriowo Folashade, noted that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader strategy to expand access to quality technical and vocational education and to equip young Nigerians with practical, employable and industry-relevant skills.
“Registration for the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) into Federal Technical Colleges will open on Monday, 26 January 2026, and close on Sunday, 24 May 2026. The entrance examination will be conducted nationwide on Saturday, 6 June 2026.
“Prospective candidates are required to complete their applications through the official National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) online portal via the designated website: https://student.nabteb.gov.ng.
The ministry emphasised that possession of a valid National Identification Number (NIN) is compulsory for all applicants and remains a prerequisite for successful registration.
The Federal Government further reiterated that technical education in Federal Technical Colleges is fully funded upon admission, underscoring its commitment to human capital development, youth empowerment and enhanced national productivity.
“Admission is open to candidates aged between 13 and 20 years. Parents, guardians and prospective candidates are advised to strictly comply with all application requirements and obtain information solely from official channels of the Federal Ministry of Education and designated examination bodies,” she said.
She added that the Federal Ministry of Education remains focused on expanding access to free, quality technical education that empowers youths with relevant skills, promotes self-reliance, and contributes meaningfully to national economic growth and sustainable development
