Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), has announced a major improvement in candidates’ performance in the 2026 National Business Certificate (NBC) and National Technical Certificate (NTC) examinations.
A total of 79,503 candidates, representing 81.24 per cent of those graded, obtained at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, marking a substantial rise from the 68.18 per cent recorded in the May/June 2025 examinations.
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB, Dr. Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, disclosed this while announcing the release of the 2026 examination results during a press briefing in Benin City.
According to him, 100,069 candidates registered for the 2026 examinations, an increase of 7,193 candidates compared with the 92,876 candidates registered in 2025.
He said 97,867 candidates eventually sat for the examinations.
Dr. Mohammed further disclosed that 89,580 candidates, representing 91.53 per cent of those graded, obtained five credits and above, with or without English Language and Mathematics.
The Board also certified 24,128 candidates, representing 24.65 per cent of those graded, as craftsmen.
The NABTEB chief attributed the improved performance to the Board’s continued emphasis on practical skills acquisition, occupational competence and the advancement of technical and vocational education and training in Nigeria.
He said the 2026 results represented a significant improvement over the previous year’s performance.
In the 2025 May/June NBC/NTC examinations, 61,104 candidates, or 68.18 per cent, obtained five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics, while 74,633 candidates, representing 83.28 per cent, obtained five credits and above, with or without the two subjects.
Dr. Mohammed described the latest figures as encouraging, noting that the improvement reflected the combined efforts of candidates, teachers, schools, parents and other stakeholders in the education sector.
He, however, stressed that the significance of the results went beyond the reported percentages, saying the real value of the qualifications would be measured by how effectively they translate into skills, employment, entrepreneurship and economic productivity.
“These statistics provide useful indicators of performance; however, beyond the percentages lies the more important question of what these qualifications mean for the future of our young people and for Nigeria’s economic development,” he said.
The NABTEB boss explained that the NBC and NTC examinations remain an important component of Nigeria’s technical and vocational education and training ecosystem.
He said the examinations provide structured pathways for young Nigerians to earn recognised qualifications after developing theoretical, practical, occupational and entrepreneurial competencies needed in the workplace and for further academic pursuits.
According to him, the latest results reinforce the growing importance of technical and business education in equipping Nigerian youths with practical skills that can contribute to national development.
Dr. Mohammed maintained that Nigeria’s future cannot be built on certificates alone, stressing that the country needs young people who can combine knowledge with character, competence and the productive application of acquired skills.
He said the improved 2026 performance should therefore be viewed not merely as an examination success, but as an opportunity to strengthen investment in technical and vocational education and prepare more Nigerian youths for productive participation in the economy.
