What is the initiative and where is it implemented (city or country)?
NABTEB is a vision-led, mission-driven public institution with an aim to be a globally recognized assessment and certification body preparing candidates for the world of work and academic/professional excellence.
How was the initiative established? How was it implemented?
The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) was established in 1992 to take over the conduct of examinations from the City and Guild (C&G) of London and the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) of London, as well as the technical and business examinations from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), in the bid to domesticate the examinations and tailor them towards societal needs.
Its establishment was the climax of an evolutionary process which spanned 15 years from 1977 to 1992 and in which four government panels were set up at different times to review the place and structure of public examinations in the national educational system.
Each of these panels advocated for and justified the multiplication of examination bodies and, in particular, a separate body to perform the functions which NABTEB now performs.
The process began with the findings of the Commission of Enquiry (1978) headed by Justice Sogbetun, which was set up in response to public outcry on perceived inefficiency and unchecked leakages in public examination processes. This was followed by the Angulu Commission, set up as a result of WAEC’s presentation to the House of Representatives’ Committee on Education in 1981, in which WAEC advocated the establishment of other examination boards in Nigeria ‘to reduce the burden of WAEC’. The Okoro Panel followed, set up in 1989 to review the Angulu Report. The fourth stage of the process was Professor Akin Osiyale’s Task Force set up in 1991 ‘to evolve a strategy to reduce the burden of WAEC and bring about greater efficiency in the conduct of public examinations’.
NABTEB was thus established, along with other examinations bodies under Decree 70 of 1993. Since then, the findings of the Etsu Nupe Panel (1997), the Shonekan Vision 2010 (1997) Report, the Harmonized Report of the Etsu Nupe Panel and the Vision 2010 reports have supported NABTEB’s existence, both directly and indirectly.
Which stakeholders are involved in the design and/or implementation of the initiative? Which sectors do they represent?
The National Business and Technical Examinations Board conducts examinations leading to the award of the National Technical Certificate (NTC), Advanced National Technical Certificate (ANTC), National Business Certificate (NBC) and Advanced National Business Certificate (ANBC). The Board also conducts Modular Trades Certificate Examinations (MTCE) for persons who wish to acquire skills in components of trade. The examination offers the following modules:
- Motor Vehicle Mechanics Work Trade (steering and braking system and mechanic work module);
- Catering Craft Trade (food preparation module);
- Secretarial Studies Trade (typewriting 35WPM for Typist II module);
- Bookkeeping Trade (purchasing and supply module).
The Board’s scope of responsibility includes:
- issuance of results, certificates and awards;
- examination conduct on behalf of or in collaboration with other examination bodies or agencies, such as the London Chamber of Commerce or the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria;
- conduct of entrance into Technical Colleges and allied institutions;
- monitoring, collection and storage of records of continuous assessment in Technical Colleges and allied institutions towards the award of certificates in National Business and Technical examinations;
- research
- publishing of statistics and other information to develop appropriate examinations, tests, and syllabi in Technical and Business Studies;
- preparation and submission of an annual report on standards of examinations and other related matters;
- other, related activities.
What are the impacts of the initiative in terms of facilitating lifelong learning? Who does it benefit and how?
Decree no. 70 of August 1993 established the Board and empowered it to conduct research into areas relevant to the Board’s examinations and operations. The research is conducted by the Department of Monitoring, Research and Statistics.
NABTEB’s database provides statistics for enrolment, placement and distribution of candidates, as well as eligibility lists and performance statistics and information on examination malpractice and the number of centres for the period between 1993 and 2002.
References:
National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB). n.d. National Business and Technical Examinations Board. [online] Available at: https://nabteb.gov.ng/ [Accessed 12 October 2020].