Nigerian government opens application for free technical colleges
The Nigerian government has approved the commencement of applications for admission into Federal Technical Colleges across the country, which will be funded free upon admission of students.
Penpushing reports that Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa made this known in a statement describing it as part of the government’s commitment to human capital and skills development.
The government it would be recalled last year reviewed the curriculum for technical colleges to include new subjects such as content creation and solar work, while entrance examination will be conducted nationwide on Saturday, June 6, 2026
Penpushing further reports that the statement by the spokesperson for Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, explained 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.
“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’, the statement read
Penpushing also reports that the statement said the registration for the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) into Federal Technical Colleges will open on Monday, January 26, 2026 , and close on Sunday, May 24, 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 statement added.
“The Ministry emphasises that possession of a valid National Identification Number (NIN) is compulsory for all applicants and remains a prerequisite for successful registration’, it stated
Penpushing reports that in similar vein, the ministry equally streamlined other trade subjects and modernised others to reflect industry needs, and under the reviewed curriculum, the education ministry said each technical college will now offer a minimum of six and a maximum of 10 trade subjects.
The Ministry added that students are to take nine or 10 subjects and listed the following subject combinations: one trade course; five or six general subjects such as Mathematics, English Language, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Citizenship and Heritage Studies; two or three trade-related subjects; and one elective.
Penpushing further reports that the new trade subjects to be offered in the technical colleges include: Brick Laying, Block Laying and Concreting, Painting Decoration and Finishes (Interior Design), Woodwork, Carpentry and Joinery, Welding and Fabrication, Plumbing and Pipe Fitting
The others are Auto-Electrical Wiring, Computer Hardware and GSM Repair and Maintenance, Auto-Mobile Mechanics, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Works, Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology, Mechanised Agriculture (Mechanics or Operations/ Smart Agriculture), Creative Media (Digital Media Production), Autobody Works, Electronic Systems Maintenance Craft and Catering Craft Practice.
Penpushing also reports that others include Furniture Making and Upholstery, Solar PV Installation and Maintenance, Networking and System Security (Satellite TV Antenna installation and maintenance), Fashion Design and Garment making, Social Media Content Creation and Management
The subjects equally include, Livestock Farming/Animal Husbandry, Tiling and Cladding (Tilling and decorative stonework or Floor cover installation), Fish Farming Activity (Aquaculture), Automobile CNG Conversion and Maintenance, Motorcycle and Tricycle Repairs and Leather Works.
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