National Board for Technical Education (NBTE)

The Federal Government established the National Board for Technical Education by Act 9 of January 1977. In August, 1985 and January 1993 respectively, the Federal Government enacted Act 16 (Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act) and Act 9 (Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) (Amendment) Act).

With these Acts, the functions of the Board were extended to include accreditation of academic programmes in all Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) institutions. Act No.9 of 1st January 1993 further empowered the Board to recommend the establishment of private Polytechnics and Monotechnics in Nigeria.

The functions of the Board as contained in its enabling Decree 9 of 1977 are as follows:

• Advise the Federal Government on, and co-ordinate all aspects of technical and vocational education falling outside the universities;
• Determine, after consultation with such other bodies, the skilled manpower needs of the country in the industrial, commercial and other relevant fields……;
• Prepare periodic master plans for the balanced and coordinated development of polytechnics and such plans shall include;
  • The general programmes to be pursued by polytechnics in order to maximize the use of available facilities and avoid unnecessary duplication;
  • Recommendations for the establishment and location of new polytechnics.
• Inquire into and advise the Federal Government on the financial needs, both recurrent and capital, of polytechnics and other technical institutions;
• Receive block grants from the Federal Government and allocate them to polytechnics in accordance with such formula as may be laid down by the Federal Executive Council;
• Act as the agency for channeling all external aid to polytechnics in Nigeria;
• Advise on, and take steps to harmonise entry requirements and duration of courses at technical institutions;

The recent acts extended the functions of NBTE to include:

• The establishment and maintenance of minimum standards in polytechnics and other technical institutions in the Federation,
• Accreditation of academic programmes in all technical and vocational education (TVE) institutions for the purpose of award of national certificates and diplomas and other similar awards

National Board for Technical Education (NBTE)
Plot B Bida Road
P.M.B. 2239
Kaduna – Nigeria
email: [email protected]