*89,000 candidates write exams
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), Dr. Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, has said examinations conducted by the agency are at par with those of WAEC, NECO and NBAIS.
He also said over 89,000 candidates are sitting for NABTEB exams across the country this year unlike over 60,000 in 2024.
He said candidates in security challenging areas were being relocated to safe places by some states to write their papers.
He praised Kaduna State Governor, Sen. Uba Sani, for providing security support for candidates in crisis-prone areas to sit for the ongoing NABTEB examinations.
Mohammed, who spoke, shortly after monitoring the ongoing examinations at Government Technical College (GTC), Malali, Kaduna, expressed confidence that more candidates will embrace NABTEB examinations.
“This is a national examinations like any other. It began on June 16 and will run until July 14, 2025. Over 89,000 candidates are sitting for the exams across the country, and we are monitoring compliance and standards closely.
“NABTEB’s exams are at par with WAEC, NECO, and NBAIS. It is left to all schools to take advantage of our standard examinations.
Mohammed praised Governor Sani for relocating students from security challenging areas to Kaduna to write their papers.
He said the governor took proactive steps by moving candidates from Kajuru Local Government Area—a known flashpoint of insecurity—to safer centres in the city without any formal request from NABTEB.
“I must sincerely commend the Kaduna State Government. Without any prompting, the governor ensured all candidates from Kajuru were safely moved to write their exams here in Kaduna city.
“It’s a commendable effort and an example worthy of emulation by other states,” he said.
On the insecurity facing other states, Mohammed revealed that NABTEB has advised authorities in Zamfara State to consider replicating Kaduna’s model by relocating candidates from high-risk rural areas to urban centres for their safety.
He described the conduct of the exams at the Kaduna centre as credible and orderly, praising the school’s exam officials for their commitment to maintaining integrity.
The NABTEB boss, however, raised concern over the poor infrastructure at the Malali centre, where he observed some students writing their papers while standing or squatting due to lack of seats.
“It is worrisome to see students writing exams in such conditions. This kind of situation creates room for malpractice. But I’ve spoken with the Principal, and we are starting a working relationship to address these issues. By this time next year, I believe this centre will witness significant improvement,” he added.
Responding to reporters, the Principal of Government Technical College, Malali, Mr. Auta Monday, confirmed that 169 candidates were registered at the centre this year.
“So far, the exams have been going smoothly despite our infrastructure challenges. We don’t have enough seats, but the materials arrived on time, and we’ve taken charge of the process.”
He described the Registrar’s visit as a “blessing,” saying it provided valuable guidance on innovation and development.
“The advice to establish a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centre in our college is a welcome idea. We’ve also embraced the push to upgrade our computer centre in preparation for future computer-based testing. We won’t miss this opportunity,” the Principal said.
