President Tinubu Reappoints Prof. Idris Bugaje as NBTE Executive Secretary for Final Five-Year Term

President Tinubu grants Prof. Idris Bugaje a second five-year term as NBTE Executive Secretary. Read about the TVET reforms and curriculum updates driving this renewal.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 7:11 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Daily Nigerian

Continuity in Technical Education: Bugaje Secures Second Term

In a move to sustain the momentum of educational reforms, President Bola Tinubu has officially renewed the appointment of Prof. 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, marks the beginning of a final five-year term for Bugaje. The decision follows the expiration of his initial tenure, which began on March 14, 2021. This reappointment is seen as a strategic step to ensure stability within the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sub-sector.

Modernizing the TVET Ecosystem

Under Prof. Bugaje’s leadership during his first term, the NBTE underwent a significant transformation aimed at aligning Nigeria's technical education with international standards. A key highlight of his tenure was the comprehensive modernization of curricula to meet the demands of the global labor market. Reports indicate that under his supervision, the board developed and reviewed approximately 100 national curricula. These reforms were designed to ensure that graduates from technical institutions possess the evolving skills required by modern industry, moving away from outdated theoretical models.

The "Renewed Hope" Agenda in Education

The presidency noted that the renewal was granted after a thorough review of Bugaje’s performance and leadership record. His efforts are reportedly in lockstep with the administration’s "Renewed Hope" agenda, which prioritizes workforce development as a pillar for national industrial growth. By modernizing technical education, the administration aims to reduce unemployment and bridge the skills gap that has historically hampered Nigerian manufacturing and technology sectors. President Tinubu has urged the NBTE boss to use this final term to consolidate these ongoing reforms.