Critical Analysis of National Vocational Qualification Framework Implementation in Nigeria: Evidence from South South States

This study critically analyses the implementation of the National Vocational Qualifications Framework in South South Nigeria, examining evidence from Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Edo States. The National Vocational Qualifications Framework was established to standardise vocational competency certification across Nigeria, ensuring that qualifications are nationally recognised and industry-relevant. Despite several years since its introduction, systematic analysis of implementation progress in the South South zone remains absent from the literature. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design is used. Quantitative data are gathered from surveys of 60 TVET administrators and 20 NBTE regional officers, supplemented by document analysis of implementation reports and institutional compliance records. Qualitative data come from in-depth interviews with eight regional implementation coordinators. Framework analysis structures the qualitative data interpretation. Findings are expected to reveal fragmented implementation, low institutional awareness, inconsistent assessor training, and limited portability of qualifications across states. The study also identifies enabling factors in states where implementation has progressed further. Recommendations include a national implementation oversight committee, harmonised assessor training and certification standards, and a digital qualification registry. This study makes an original contribution to NVQF implementation research and provides a regionally grounded analytical framework for informing the next phase of national qualification reform in Nigeria. Keywords: National Vocational Qualifications Framework, implementation, South South Nigeria, TVET, certification