Nigeria to Digitalize All Exams by 2027, 38 Technical Colleges to be Upgraded
The Nigerian government intends to implement digital examinations by 2027, while also upgrading 38 technical colleges, according to Minister of Education, Alausa.
He disclosed that the government has implemented a dual-training system in technical colleges, where students dedicate 80% of their time to hands-on training and the remaining 20% to classroom instruction.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, announced that the Federal Government has enhanced 38 federal and state technical colleges as part of a comprehensive reform aimed at equipping Nigerian youth with skills that meet international standards. He revealed this information during the 2025 Quarterly Citizens and Stakeholders Engagement for the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), which took place in Abuja on Monday.
He said, “Our goal is to train 5 million young Nigerians with globally relevant skills within four years.
“NESRI addresses issues of access, quality, inclusivity, research, and professional development in education.”
Drawing attention to the difficulties faced, Mr. Alausa pointed out that Nigeria presently has 15 million children who are not attending school and more than 45 million who are considered to have inadequate learning skills.
He emphasized that the reforms continue to prioritize adolescent girls, especially the 6 million girls aged 12–19 who are not currently attending school.
Mr. Alausa stated that starting in November 2025, the National Examinations Council and the West African Examinations Council will implement computer-based tests (CBT). Additionally, by 2027, all national examinations, including those conducted by JAMB, will be fully digitized.
He mentioned that the action was intended to address cheating in exams and improve their honesty.
Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, the Minister of State for Education, highlighted the crucial role of TVET in bridging the skills gap in Nigeria and decreasing the country's dependency on foreign labor.
She said, “We have seen companies hiring 60 per cent of their workforce from abroad. That must change.”
Senator Muntari Dandutse, who chairs the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, promised legislative backing for the proposed reforms, emphasizing that education is "central to national transformation."
