By Oso Abidemi 

The Federal Government has officially launched the 2025 entrance examination for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), into Federal Technical Colleges nationwide, with over 30,000 candidates participating.

The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), Dr. Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, made the announcement on Saturday while monitoring the exams at the Federal Technical College, Orozo, Abuja.

Dr. Mohammed described TVET as a transformative initiative aimed at equipping Nigerian youths with practical, industry-relevant skills to boost human capital development.

According to him, the entrance exam is more than a selection process, it’s a tool for identifying individual strengths and aligning students with trades such as tailoring, electrical installation, and solar maintenance.

“If you pass, we evaluate your score alongside the data already collected to determine where you best fit. This isn’t just about passing exams; it’s about placing the right candidates in the right trade paths,” he explained.

Highlighting the economic significance of the programme, the NABTEB boss said the initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported labour and promote local technical capacity.

“No country can grow without skilled artisans and technicians. The days of relying solely on paper qualifications are fading. The real question now is: what can you do?” he said.

He lamented that many simple construction jobs in Nigeria; such as tiling and plaster of Paris (POP), installations are still being handled by foreign workers despite the availability of energetic Nigerian youths who, if properly trained, can do the work efficiently.

“The building industry is a goldmine. With the right training, our young people can reclaim these jobs and build sustainable livelihoods,” he added.

Dr. Mohammed emphasized that certification is central to the programme’s success. “Certification builds trust. Nobody wants to hire unverified technicians, especially for major national projects like the ongoing gas pipeline initiative.”

The TVET programme, he said, will offer training durations ranging from six months to one year, depending on the trade.

Graduates will be provided with starter packs and may be eligible for government-backed loans to start their businesses.

“This is a complete package; skills training, certification, startup support, and employment opportunities. It’s a powerful tool for job creation and youth empowerment,” he stressed.

On admissions, Mohammed assured that a selection committee composed of school principals, NABTEB officials, and representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education will oversee a transparent process.

He noted that results from the current examination are expected to be released within 21 days.

“We’re also looking ahead. By this time next year, we hope the entire process; registration, testing, and results will be fully digitised,” he added.

The flag-off marks a significant milestone in the government’s drive to strengthen technical education, improve youth employability, and promote economic self-reliance through vocational skills.

By Omoniyi David

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has condemned the N39 billion renovation of the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, describing it as misplaced priority amidst an ongoing teachers’ strike in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In a statement on Wednesday, CUPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Peter Ameh, called for an immediate investigation into the expenditure by the FCT Administration (FCTA), arguing that the funds should have been used to address the prolonged strike that has kept FCT public primary school pupils out of classrooms for over three months.

“It is appalling that while pupils remain at home and primary healthcare centres are shut due to strikes, the FCTA spent N39 billion on giving the ICC, already functional; a facelift,” Ameh said.

He described the spending as a “shameful betrayal of public trust”, comparing it to the modest N240 million used to originally construct the ICC during the Babangida administration. “This is not leadership,” he added.

Ameh accused the administration of ignoring pressing needs in education and healthcare while focusing on “vanity projects.”

He urged a reorientation of government priorities and immediate accountability for the expenditure.

In defence, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike said the renovation was ordered by President Tinubu after he was dissatisfied with the ICC’s dilapidated state during a visit.

Wike added that the upgrade was necessary to maintain the centre’s international relevance.

An FCTA official, speaking anonymously, said funds for the ICC renovation were specially approved by the presidency and could not be diverted to pay striking workers.

However, he acknowledged the urgency of resolving the strike and reopening schools.

By Anifowoshe Oladipupo

Dr. Tope Ojeme, a lecturer at Baze University, Abuja, has called on Artificial Intelligence (AI), developers across Africa to create innovative digital tools capable of detecting fake news and curbing unethical media practices.

Ojeme made this call during the closing ceremony of the Second Quarter Courses of the West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA), held recently in Abuja.

His remarks were contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Port Harcourt by the Academy’s Registrar, Joseph Obari.

Presenting a paper titled “Beyond Debunking: Building a Culture of Media Integrity in Africa’s Next Century,” Dr. Ojeme stressed the urgent need to tackle the growing wave of misinformation and disinformation across the continent.

“We must empower African developers, engineers, and creators to build AI-powered fact-checking plugins for newsrooms and blockchain-based archives to safeguard journalistic content from tampering,” he said, adding that “These tools will also help secure open-data platforms, enabling citizens to demand accountability from their leaders.”

Ojeme warned that if left unchecked, the rise of disinformation could erode public trust, compromise democratic values, and allow dangerous myths and falsehoods to thrive.

“We could soon find ourselves in a world where fake cures go viral, conspiracy theories infiltrate classrooms, and elections are manipulated by digital bots,” he cautioned, adding that “This scenario poses a real threat to the integrity of public discourse and the stability of our societies.”

While acknowledging that technology has accelerated the spread of misinformation, the media scholar also noted that it holds significant potential to counter the menace.

He advocated for the use of AI algorithms that prioritize verified information, detect fabrications, and expose distorted facts.

Ojeme further highlighted the growing risks posed by deepfake technologies, stressing that manipulated videos and images could have severe implications for already fragile societies.

“This looming threat underscores the urgency of building systems of truth; including legal frameworks to protect truth-telling journalists and the establishment of ‘truth desks’ in media organisations,” he said.

He concluded by urging media professionals, policymakers, and developers to rise to the challenge and safeguard the future of information in Africa.

“We are living in an age of noise, where the loudest microphones command attention, speed supersedes sense, and volume overwhelms value,” Ojeme said. “There is a pressing need to confront this challenge head-on.”