President Bola Tinubu Approves Second Five Year Term for NBTE Executive Secretary Idris Bugaje to Consolidate Vocational Reforms

President Tinubu renews Idris Bugaje’s tenure as NBTE Executive Secretary for a final 5-year term to continue reforms in technical and vocational education.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 3, 2026, 5:45 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Peoples Gazette

Performance Based Reappointment for Technical Education

President Bola Tinubu has officially renewed the appointment of Idris Bugaje as the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). The announcement, made via a statement from presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, grants Mr. Bugaje a second and final term of five years. This reappointment is the result of a comprehensive review of his leadership record and the tangible transformations witnessed within the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sub-sector during his initial tenure.

Modernizing the TVET Ecosystem for Global Demands

Under Mr. Bugaje’s first term, which began in March 2021, the NBTE underwent a strategic repositioning to better align Nigeria’s vocational training with international standards. A key highlight of his stewardship includes the development and review of 100 national curricula, specifically updated to meet modern global skills demands. By focusing on curriculum modernization, the board has sought to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical industry requirements, ensuring that Nigerian graduates from technical colleges and polytechnics are more competitive in the labor market.

A Mandate for Consolidation and Completion

With the renewal of his mandate, President Tinubu has urged the NBTE boss to utilize this final term to consolidate ongoing reforms and finalize critical initiatives currently in the pipeline. The presidency emphasized that the next five years should focus on deepening the integration of digital skills into technical education and expanding the reach of vocational training to underserved regions. Mr. Bugaje is expected to lead the charge in making technical education a primary driver of Nigeria’s economic diversification strategy.