FG Moves to Scrap Tuition Fees in Federal Technical Colleges

• Federal Government begins review of tuition fees to make education free in Federal Technical Colleges.

• Nationwide validation of students in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector ordered.

• Minister says the initiative will remove financial barriers and boost skills development for employment and industrial growth.

The Federal Government has announced plans to scrap tuition fees in Federal Technical Colleges as part of efforts to expand access to technical and vocational education across the country.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, disclosed this during the T-31 student selection exercise for admission into Federal Technical Colleges, saying the government had commenced a review of tuition fees while also ordering a nationwide validation of students enrolled in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector.

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According to Alausa, the review is aimed at ensuring that no student enrolled in any Federal Technical College bears the burden of paying tuition or other institutional charges that could hinder access to quality technical education.

He said the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to equipping young Nigerians with practical skills that will promote employment, entrepreneurship and national development.

“I encourage all stakeholders to work collaboratively to ensure a seamless, credible, and successful admission process. Remain guided by the principles of equity, accountability, and excellence as you select the next generation of skilled technicians and craftsmen who will contribute meaningfully to Nigerian industrial and economic transformation,” the minister said.

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Also speaking, the Registrar of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), Dr. Mohammed Aminu, said the admission exercise was designed to ensure that candidates who sat the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) are fairly and transparently placed into Federal Technical Colleges in line with Federal Ministry of Education guidelines.

He disclosed that 10,426 candidates, representing 75.29 per cent of those who sat the examination, scored 50 per cent and above, while 5,708 candidates, representing 41.22 per cent, scored at least 70 per cent.

According to Aminu, a total of 15,290 candidates registered for the examination, while 13,848 eventually participated nationwide.

He added that the examination was conducted across 34 Federal Technical Colleges and 168 State Technical Colleges spread across the 36 states of the federation.

The NABTEB registrar said admissions would be based on merit, equity, accountability, transparency and the Federal Character Principle, with successful candidates offered placements according to available vacancies, trade preferences and catchment considerations.