By Waziri Isa Adam
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reappointed Professor Idris Muhammad Bugaje as the Executive Secretary of National Board for Technical Education for another five year tenure.
Presenting the reappointment letter to Professor Bugaje in his office, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Morufu Alausa said Professor Bugaje’s reappointment was in recognition of his hardwork, ingenuity and the unprecedented transformation that he brought to technical education in the country
Professor Bugaje who has been making waves in Nigeria’s technical education sector, has over 40 years of experience in education and technical fields.
He has implemented transformative initiatives that have improved the quality and relevance of technical and vocational education (TVET) programs.
Before joining NBTE, Bugaje held various leadership positions, including Rector of Kaduna Polytechnic and Director-General of the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Zaria. His appointment as NBTE Executive Secretary in 2021 marked a significant shift towards practical, skills-oriented transformation in Nigeria’s polytechnic education.
Some notable achievements under Bugaje’s leadership include the introduction of digital accreditation, making the process more efficient and transparent, and the launch of the National Occupational Standards (NOS) Development Project, setting internationally benchmarked competency standards. He has also made skills training mandatory for polytechnic students, offering dual certification.
Bugaje’s vision for technical education has been instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s workforce, and he continues to advocate for skills development and international collaborations. His efforts have earned him recognition, including being named one of Africa’s most impactful education icons.
