Low Performance Marks 2025 NABTEB FTC Entrance Exam

Only 39% Pass NABTEB Entrance Exam into Federal Technical Colleges. The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) has released the results of the 2025 entrance examination into Federal Technical Colleges (FTCs), with statistics showing a concerning performance by candidates across the country. According to the board, only 39 per cent of candidates scored 50 per cent and above, raising concerns about the state of foundational technical education in Nigeria.

The results were announced in Benin City on Wednesday by NABTEB Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Aminu Mohammed, during the formal commencement of a three-day selection and placement exercise. This annual exercise determines which successful candidates will be admitted into FTCs nationwide.

Out of a total of 24,074 candidates who participated in the entrance exam, only 9,389 managed to attain a pass mark of 50 per cent and above. Even more concerning is the fact that just 316 candidates, about 1.31 per cent scored 70 per cent and above, reflecting a wide performance gap and limited high achievers among the candidate pool.

“Furthermore, 316 candidates accounting for 1.31 per cent attained scores of 70 per cent and above, while 14,685 candidates constituting 61 per cent scored below 50 per cent. Additionally, the results indicated that eight candidates representing 0.03 per cent achieved the highest rank,” Dr. Mohammed said.

The low overall performance has sparked conversations about the quality of foundational education feeding into the technical and vocational education sector, which has become a renewed focus under the current administration.
Addressing stakeholders at the event, Dr. Mohammed urged those involved in the placement process to adopt a merit-based, transparent, and fair selection model, emphasizing that technical colleges must admit candidates most likely to benefit from their highly specialised vocational curriculum.

“I look forward to a fair, transparent, and merit-based selection process that attracts the most talented and motivated students. By getting this process right, I am confident that we can set our students up for success and enhance the reputation of our institution,” he said.

He also praised the Federal Government’s recent interventions aimed at strengthening the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system, which is key to developing job-ready skills and improving youth employment outcomes in Nigeria.

In a message delivered by Dr. Muibat Olodo, Director of Technology and Science Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving access to quality technical education.

He disclosed that two additional Federal Technical Colleges have been established in Enugu and Plateau States, as part of ongoing efforts to expand access and ensure national spread. Plans are also underway to establish three more FTCs, with the goal of ensuring that every state in the federation and the FCT has at least one federal technical college.

“Despite the daunting challenges, we are focused on implementing policies that will uplift the lives of our children, the performance of our colleges, and the future of this nation,” Alausa said.

The announcement has sparked renewed conversations about the need for deeper investment in basic education, teacher training, and early STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) literacy, especially as TVET gains more prominence in national policy and job creation agendas.

Education stakeholders, including principals of Federal Technical Colleges, ministry officials, NABTEB staff, and education experts, were in attendance at the result presentation and placement exercise, which will continue over the next two days. The outcome of this process will determine the new intake for the 2025/2026 academic session in technical colleges across Nigeriia.