By Peter Omopo
Benin City, July 9, 2025 — The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) has revealed that only 39 percent of candidates who sat for the 2025 entrance examination into Federal Technical Colleges (FTCs) scored 50 percent and above.
The board’s Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Aminu Mohammed, made this known on Wednesday in Benin during the official announcement of the results and the commencement of the three-day selection and placement exercise for successful candidates.
According to Mohammed, a total of 24,074 candidates took part in the National Common Entrance Examination. Of this number, 9,389 candidates attained scores of 50 percent and above, while 14,685 candidates (61 percent) fell below the pass mark.
“Only 316 candidates, representing 1.31 percent, scored 70 percent and above, which indicates a need for improvement in candidate preparedness,” the NABTEB boss stated.
Mohammed further disclosed that eight candidates emerged at the top of the rankings, accounting for just 0.03 percent of the total exam population.
He appealed to all stakeholders involved in the placement process to prioritize merit, fairness, and transparency, ensuring that the most suitable and motivated students are selected to benefit from the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes.
“The goal is to admit students who show genuine interest and potential in technical education, as they will be best positioned to benefit from the skills-driven curriculum of our FTCs,” he added.
The low pass rate has reignited calls for renewed focus on foundational education and vocational awareness at the basic school level to better prepare students for technical pathways.
