A high-level delegation from Uganda has arrived in Nigeria to understudy the country’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) model, in a strategic move to tackle rising youth unemployment through skills development.
The team, led by Albert Akovuku, Head of the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB), visited the headquarters of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) in Benin City on Monday, April 20, 2026, for a benchmarking exercise.
Akovuku revealed that both institutions are set to collaborate closely to adapt and implement Nigeria’s TVET framework in Uganda. The partnership, he said, will focus on reducing unemployment, enhancing digital education, and promoting an industry-driven, competency-based assessment system that equips young people with practical, real-world skills.
According to him, the initiative goes beyond a routine study visit, laying the groundwork for a long-term bilateral framework that will strengthen technical education systems and benefit youths in both countries.
“Nigeria was selected because its TVET architecture, developed and refined by NABTEB, stands as a sophisticated model for Uganda’s reforms,” Akovuku noted. “We acknowledge NABTEB’s longstanding contribution to economic resilience, which continues to inspire Uganda’s transformation agenda under Vision 2040.”
He emphasized Uganda’s ambition to transition from theory-based learning to a more practical, digital, and industry-led approach that prepares its workforce to meet modern challenges.
In his welcome remarks, Mohammed Aminu Mohammed described the visit as a major step toward strengthening African collaboration in skills development. He highlighted that discussions would centre on knowledge sharing, innovative assessment methods, and bridging the gap between industry demands and certification systems, including frameworks like the Nigeria Skills Qualification Framework.
Mohammed expressed optimism that the engagement would produce a clear roadmap for sustained partnership, ultimately improving the quality and relevance of TVET across the continent.
Also speaking, Tunji Alausa said the visit underscores the growing need for regional cooperation in education, particularly in addressing skills gaps and unemployment. Represented by Kolawole Osundeyi, he noted that such partnerships are vital in driving sustainable economic growth in an increasingly technology-driven world.
He described the collaboration between UVTAB and NABTEB as timely and essential, given the evolving demands of the global labour market and the need for African nations to work together in building a skilled and competitive workforce.
