NABTEB to introduce Smart Agriculture to Technical Colleges in Nigeria

News in Brief: - NABTEB introduces Smart Agriculture in Nigerian technical colleges to align training with technological advancements and sustainable development goals.

-The board is working closely with NBTE and industry experts to ensure trade syllabi meet current labour market demands.

The National Business and Technical Education Board (NABTEB) has proposed the introduction of smart agriculture into the list of trade areas taught in technical colleges in Nigeria.

This development comes as part of the ongoing review and expansion of technical college syllabi in Nigeria.

The ongoing five-day review and validation exercise at the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) in Abuja is expanding the number of trade areas taught from 14 to 26. Smart Agriculture is joining other future-focused disciplines like robotics, coding, machine learning, automotive mechatronics, and cinematography introduced to the syllabi.

Aligning with future skills and sustainable development

According to NABTEB Registrar, Dr. Mohammed Mohammed, the addition of smart agriculture and other focuses to the syllabi is to align Nigeria’s future with a skilled workforce and sustainable development.

“This comprehensive selection reflects our understanding that Nigeria’s economic future depends on a skilled workforce capable of operating across traditional and emerging sectors. The inclusion of environmentally conscious programmes such as Solar PV installations and Smart Agriculture demonstrates our commitment to sustainable development,” he said.

 He described the review as a transformative initiative designed to reshape the country’s technical education system and better prepare graduates for the modern economy. The revised syllabi will ensure that students acquire practical skills relevant to both traditional and emerging industries.

“Our goal is to align technical education with national development and global standards. This is the foundation for producing graduates who can compete globally while contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic diversification and technological independence,” he stated.

He also promised that the board would provide training for educators, develop new assessment tools, and enforce strict quality assurance in the implementation of the revised curricula.

Collaboration with NBTE and stakeholders

Dr Mohammed commended the collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), while also acknowledging the input of industry stakeholders  in aligning the curricula with labour market needs 

He described the collaboration with NBTE as a model for inter-agency partnership to advance technical and vocational training, as he also urged stakeholders to continue supporting internship opportunities, mentorship, and workplace learning.

NBTE calls for effective implementation 

The Executive Secretary of NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, called for an effective implementation of the revised syllabi across technical colleges, as it is important to build a stronger foundation for vocational education.

Prof Bugaje, who was represented by Hajia Hajara Abdulkadri, noted that the review was an important step toward empowering Nigerian youths with the skills required to thrive in a rapidly changing economy.

Dr. Muyibat Olodu, Director of Technology and Science Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, represented by Mr. Kola Osundeyi, said the review would enhance the quality and relevance of technical education in line with industry expectations and global standards. She urged stakeholders to ensure that practical skills, emerging technologies, and innovative teaching methods are fully integrated into the programmes.