In the bid to strengthen and increase the efficiency of education in Nigeria, several education agencies have been created. Educational agencies are institutions or organizations formulated by the government to oversee the affairs of the education sector. These agencies are saddled with the responsibilities to ensure that the affair of the Nigerian education system is well-coordinated and runs smoothly. Presently, there are over six (6) educational agencies in Nigeria. This has motivated the writer to write on the functions of educational agencies in Nigeria.

Functions Of Educational Agencies In Nigeria

There are several educational agencies in Nigeria, created with the aim to improve the Nigerian education system. The functions of some of the educational agencies will be discussed in this article. Below are the functions of educational agencies in Nigeria. Their functions are listed base on the peculiarity.

  • National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB)

The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) was formulated in 1992 to oversee the craft level examinations which were hitherto conducted by City & Guilds, Pittman’s, and Royal Society of Arts all of UK in conformity with the provisions of the National Policy on Education. The essence of establishing NABTEB was due to the climax of an evolutionary process that lasted from 1977 to 1992 (15 years) and in which four Government Panels at different times were set up to review the place and structure of public examinations in Nigeria educational system.

  • Functions of NABTEB

NABTEB was established with the promulgation of Decree 70 of August 1993 and was saddled with the responsibility to:

  1. a) NABTEB conduct examinations leading to the award of the;
  2. National Technical Certificate (NTC)
  3. Advanced National Technical Certificate (ANTC)

iii.    National Business Certificate (NBC)

  1. Advanced National Business Certificate (ANBC)
  2. Modular Trade Certificate (MTC);
  3. b) NABTEB take over the conduct of technical and business examinations hitherto conducted by the Royal Society of Arts of London, City and Guilds of London and the West African Examinations Council;
  4. c) NABTEB Issue results, certificates and make awards in examinations conducted by the Board;
  5. d) NABTEB Conduct other specified examinations on behalf of or in collaboration with other examination agencies such as the London Chamber of Commerce or the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria etc.;
  6. e) NABTEB Conduct common entrance examinations into Technical Colleges and allied institutions;
  7. f) NABTEB Monitor, collect and keep records of continuous assessment in Technical Colleges and allied institutions towards the award of certificates in National Business and Technical Examinations;
  8. g) NABTEB conduct research; publish statistics and other information in order to develop appropriate examinations, tests, and syllabi in technical and business studies;
  9. h) NABTEB prepare and submit to the Secretary an annual report on standards of examinations and other related matters; and
  10. i) NABTEB carry out such other activities as are necessary or expedient for the full discharge of all or any of the functions conferred on it under the Decree.
Function Of Educational Agency In Nigeria
  • Functions of WAEC

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is the foremost examination body in West Africa. This education agency is an examination board that conducts the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), for University and Jamb entry examination in West African countries. The functions of WAEC include:

  1. WAEC determines the examinations required in the public interest in the English-speaking West African Countries, and to conduct such examinations and award certificates of comparable standard to those of similar examining authorities, worldwide.
  2. WAEC Assist and contribute to the development of sound education in West Africa;
  3. WAEC ensures that educational standards are maintained; and
  4. WAEC provides the West African people with a vision of the great potentials which lie beyond examinations.
  • Functions of NECO

The National Examinations Council (NECO) is an examination body in Nigeria that conducts and oversees the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination as well as the General Certificate in Education which often holds in June/July and December/January respectively.

  • NECO major function includes the Conduct of:
  1. National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE)
  2. Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE)
  3. Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal and External
  • Functions of the National Teachers Institute

The National Teachers’ Institute, headquartered in Kaduna was established in 1976 principally because of the pressing need in the country for trained, qualified teaching staff at all levels of the educational system. NTI’s enabling Law charged it among others with the responsibility of “providing courses of instruction leading to the development, upgrading, and certification of teachers as specified in the relevant syllabus using Distance Education Techniques.

  • The enabling law mandates the Institute to:
  1. The agency upgrades under-qualified and untrained teachers.
  2. The agency conducts post-graduate courses and examinations in education for graduate teachers.
  3. The agency provides refresher and other upgrading courses for teachers.
  4. The agency organizes workshops, seminars, and conferences, which would assist in the improvement of teachers.
  5. They conduct examinations.
  6. They carry out research in partnership with other institutions on any matter relevant to educational development in the country.
  7. The agency formulates policies and initiates programs at all levels of education designed to improve by way of research the quality and content of education in Nigeria etc.
  • Functions of JAMB

Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) was created in 1978 and saddled with the responsibility of ensuring a uniform standard for the conduct of matriculation examination and ensure the placement of suitable candidates into the varsities in the country. Shortly after its establishment, the law that was used to initiate JAMB into existence was amended so as to add the conduct of Monotechnics, polytechnic and colleges of education matriculation examination with the aim tackling issues relating to lack of standards and uniformity in admission processes, multiple application by students which led to multiple admissions for some candidates and deprived others of the opportunity to gain other candidates admission into tertiary institutions.

  • Conducting of UTME

The core function of JAMB to conduct the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) which has a cut off mark and serves as the requirement for gaining admission into all tertiary institutions in Nigeria. In addition, JAMB also conducts the appointment of examiners, officials and other personnel essential for the smooth conduct of the examination.

  • Eligibility of Candidates seeking Admission into Tertiary Institutions

Also, JAMB functions to ensure candidates seeking to gain admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria are eligible by ensuring they possess the necessary qualifications and or its equivalent as part of the necessary requirements for participation in the UTME examination. Therefore, candidates who have sat or are scheduled to sit for examinations issuing any of the necessary qualifications in the year of application are qualified to sit for the UTME.

  • Structuring of The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination

The venue and date of the UTME exam are fixed by JAMB. It’s frequency, the duration, mode of the test (CBT or paper-based) and general subjects for all candidates.

These are just to mention a few functions of JAMB.

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Conclusion Of Functions Of Educational Agencies In Nigeria

The functions of educational agencies in Nigeria cannot be undermined. Their operations are vital to the development of the Nigerian education system. More so, the agencies mentioned above are not all of the educational agencies in Nigeria.

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