The Federal Government has announced the commencement of registration for the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) for admission into Federal Technical Colleges nationwide.

The Ministry of Education disclosed that the application portal will open on Monday, January 26, 2026, and close on Sunday, May 24, 2026. The entrance examination is scheduled to hold across the country on Saturday, June 6, 2026.

A statement by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, said the initiative was approved by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in line with the Federal Government’s drive to expand access to quality technical and vocational education.

According to the statement, the policy is designed to equip young Nigerians with practical, employable and industry-relevant skills that will boost national productivity and self-reliance.

Prospective candidates are to complete their applications through the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) portal at https://student.nabteb.gov.ng.

The ministry emphasised that possession of a valid National Identification Number (NIN) is compulsory for registration, adding that no applicant would be processed without it.

The government reiterated its commitment to fully funding technical education in Federal Technical Colleges, stressing that no school administrator is permitted to demand extra fees from parents or guardians.

It recalled that earlier directives had been issued to all schools to ensure strict compliance with the policy of free tuition in technical colleges.

Admission, the ministry added, is open to candidates between the ages of 13 and 20 years.

Parents and guardians were advised to obtain information only from official channels of the Federal Ministry of Education and designated examination bodies to avoid falling victim to fraud.

The Federal Government restated its resolve to use technical education as a tool for youth empowerment, job creation and sustainable economic development.