The Federal Government has announced the commencement of applications for admission into Federal Technical Colleges (FTCs) across Nigeria, reaffirming its commitment to free technical education and skills development for young people.
This was disclosed in a statement released by Boriowo Folasade, Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, following the approval of the initiative by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON. The initiative forms part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to expand access to quality technical and vocational education and to equip youths with practical, employable, and industry-relevant skills.
According to the statement, 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, while the entrance examination will be conducted nationwide on Saturday, 6 June 2026.
Prospective candidates are to complete their applications through the official National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) online portal via 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 statement further reiterated that technical education in Federal Technical Colleges is fully funded upon admission, underscoring the Federal Government’s commitment to human capital development, youth empowerment, and enhanced national productivity.
Admission is open to candidates aged 13 to 20 years, while parents, guardians, and prospective candidates were advised to strictly comply with all application requirements and obtain information only from official channels of the Federal Ministry of Education and designated examination bodies.
The Ministry reaffirmed its focus 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.
Reacting to the development, the Director General of the APC Youth Wing West Africa, Hon. Gideon Olatunde Igbasan, described the initiative as a timely and strategic investment in the future of Nigerian youths. He commended the Federal Government and the Ministry of Education for prioritising skills acquisition, noting that free technical education remains a powerful tool for job creation, self-reliance, and sustainable economic growth across Nigeria and the wider West African region.
