The Federal Government has officially rebranded all Federal Science and Technical Colleges (FSTCs) as Federal Technical Colleges (FTCs) in a bold move to strengthen Nigeria’s technical and vocational education system.
Announced today via the official X handle of the Federal Ministry of Education, the name change signals a strategic shift toward aligning education with Nigeria’s evolving economy. The Ministry emphasized that this transition is inline with the government’s commitment to equipping young Nigerians with industry-relevant skills that meet modern workforce demands.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Education, Dr. Nabila Agwai, Technical Assistant on TVET, explained that moving from a broad technical science focus to a more specialized technical training model would bridge skill gaps and drive national development.
Dr. Agwai reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to leveraging vocational education as a tool for curbing youth unemployment and fostering a technology-driven society. She stressed that equipping students with hands-on skills would enhance job creation and economic growth in Nigeria.
Echoing this sentiment, Permanent Secretary Dr. Nasir Gwarzo described the renaming as more than a mere change in nomenclature. He emphasized that it marks a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s educational priorities, ensuring that students are better prepared for the 21st-century workforce.
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“Our FSTCs have historically been a pipeline for technical skills acquisition, but the rapid pace of technological advancement demands a more targeted and responsive approach,” Dr. Gwarzo noted.
However, he acknowledged that this transformation comes with challenges, particularly in terms of training, infrastructure, and collaboration.
Dr. (Mrs.) Olodo M.A., Director of Technology and Science Education, highlighted concerns over the low participation of teachers in STEM and TVET training programs. She urged schools to prioritize staff development, emphasizing that networking and collaboration among institutions would help overcome recurring challenges in teacher training.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Offokeansi I. S., Chairman of all Federal Technical Colleges and Principal of FTC Otukpo, called on school administrators to strengthen communication during student transitions—particularly for JSS 3 students—to prevent cases where qualified students miss out on admission due to overcrowding.
The renaming was unveiled during a three-day interactive session where education stakeholders discussed strategies to enhance and sustain technical and vocational education across Nigeria.
