The National Business and Technical Examinations Board will release results of the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination into technical colleges across Nigeria on 7 July, with placement of successful candidates scheduled for 20 to 22 July.

Registrar and Chief Executive Officer Aminu Mohammed disclosed during an inspection on Wednesday, confirming that all arrangements for selection and placement had been concluded ahead of schedule.

"Authoritatively, I am telling you this evening, the selection and placement of those students will be on Monday, 20th to 22nd of July. All arrangements for selection have been concluded. I assure you, by the 7th of July, that is next week, Tuesday, the result for the National Common Entrance will be made public," Mohammed stated.

The registrar also revealed a significant rise in examination participation, noting that candidate numbers had grown from 92,260 in 2025 to 167,000 in 2026.

"Last year we had 92,260 candidates who sought the enrolment and sat for the exam. This year we are having 167,000. You now can see this policy of the honourable minister is taking us to where we want to be," he said.

Mohammed attributed the surge to growing interest in Technical and Vocational Education and Training programmes, which he described as a major economic driver for Nigeria. He argued that technical education equips graduates with practical skills that make them independent and capable of creating employment for others.

"Students do not have any option to key into TVET. Because it is better for us now to be able to deemphasise paper qualifications. Go to the streets in Lagos now. There are hundreds of youth with a first degree looking for a job. If they have the skill, they don't need to beg anybody for a job," he stated.

The registrar acknowledged existing infrastructure gaps within technical colleges but noted that arrangements were underway to review and update equipment across trade areas to meet current standards.

Mohammed reaffirmed NABTEB's commitment to sustaining the growth recorded in the current cycle, expressing confidence that maintaining and marginally expanding existing capacity would drive further increases in enrolment in subsequent years.