The Federal Government has announced a review of tuition fees for students in Federal Technical Colleges and directed a nationwide validation of students enrolled in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector.

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, said the review is aimed at ensuring that no student in any Federal Technical College is burdened with tuition or other institutional charges that could hinder access to quality technical education.

Alausa made the announcement during the T-31 student selection exercise for admission into Federal Technical Colleges, stressing that technical education remains vital to equipping young Nigerians with practical skills for employment, entrepreneurship and national development.

He urged all stakeholders involved in the admission process to uphold the principles of equity, accountability and excellence in selecting the next generation of skilled technicians and craftsmen.

Also speaking, the Registrar of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), Dr. Mohammed Aminu, said the selection exercise is designed to ensure that candidates who sat for the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) are admitted into technical colleges through a fair and transparent process in line with Federal Ministry of Education guidelines.

Providing an update on candidates’ performance, Aminu disclosed that 10,426 candidates, representing 75.29 percent, scored at least 50 percent, while 5,708 candidates, or 41.22 percent, scored 70 percent and above.

He added that 15,290 candidates registered for the examination, with 13,848 sitting for the test nationwide across 34 Federal Technical Colleges and 168 State Technical Colleges in all 36 states.

According to him, admissions will be based on merit, equity, transparency, available vacancies, trade preferences, catchment considerations and the Federal Character Principle.