By Waziri Isa Adam
Professor Idris Muhammad Bugaje, a renowned educator and administrator, has been at the helm of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) since 2021. During his tenure, he has implemented transformative initiatives that have significantly impacted the technical and vocational education (TVE) sector in Nigeria.
One of his notable achievements is the establishment of international collaborations with foreign countries, such as China and Morocco, to promote vocational training and employment initiatives. These collaborations have led to the establishment of modern training facilities and the provision of scholarships for Nigerian students.
Professor Bugaje has also introduced reforms aimed at improving the quality and relevance of TVE programs in Nigeria. These reforms include the development of new curricula, the establishment of centers of excellence, and the promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Under his leadership, the NBTE has embarked on a massive infrastructure development project, aimed at upgrading and expanding the facilities of polytechnics and other TVE institutions across Nigeria. This project has significantly improved the learning environment and enhanced the capacity of these institutions to provide high-quality training.
Professor Bugaje’s outstanding contributions to the development of TVE in Nigeria have been recognized through several awards, including the 2024 Transformative Excellence award in TVET. His commitment to transforming the TVE sector in Nigeria has led to improved quality, relevance, and recognition of TVE programs, and his leadership has promoted international collaborations, infrastructure development, and the addressing of disparities between HND and B.A/B.Sc certificates.
In this interview with Science and Technology Monitor, Professor Bugaje spoke on a wide range of issues of national interest.
Excerpts:
Education Monitor: Prof, how did you perceive the state of polytechnic education in Nigeria before you were appointed the Executive Secretary of NBTE, and what prompted you to drive change?
Prof Bugaje: I was a sitting Rector of Kaduna polytechnic when I was appointed in 2021. The state of polytechnic education then and now has not changed significantly. Biases persist, and unwarranted prejudice is still in currency. However, with huge unemployment among degree holders, people are now turning to polytechnics for succor. At least products of polytechnics graduate with one skill or another may not wait for employment from the government; rather, they can set up an enterprise and employ others to create wealth. This was the little change we created in the last 4 years, which is gradually gaining ground.
Education Monitor: What were the key challenges you faced in transforming the sector, and how did you address them?
Prof Bugaje: First, finance; second, inertia and probably third, is the challenge of managing the change. NBTE is the least funded among the regulatory bodies, as such the review of curricula, digitalization of activities, etc which we wanted to put on top gear, could not be delivered at the speed we wanted. But we are moving on despite these challenges. Inertia refers to resistance to change that we faced from the NBTE staff and rectors. Many rectors saw our technology driven accreditation as an attempt to end bad practices such as borrowing of equipment and even lecturers during accreditation, exposure of violation of carrying capacity, etc. but with time many have accepted these changes and we are forging ahead.
Education Monitor: How did you envision the ideal polytechnic education system, and what steps did you take to achieve this vision?
Prof Bugaje: We are struggling to deliver a world class polytechnic education in Nigeria. We must also overcome the unfortunate syndrome inherited from the past, that see Polytechnics as second fiddle. The world has changed. Today’s greatest economies are driven by skills. There is a new paradigm, a shift towards skills which are delivered in Polytechnics. Nigerians are gradually accepting this new reality.
Education Monitor: What strategies did you implement to enhance the accreditation
process for polytechnic programs, ensuring quality and relevance?
Prof Bugaje: Well, we have introduced digital accreditation, which is technology driven, real time, remote and virtual. We have realized that many TVET institutions have weak ICT infrastructure, and so a small window of exemption is open for these cases, but I am happy the new Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, is fully supporting our technology driven accreditation system and has directed all institutions to comply by July 2025!
Education Monitor: How did you ensure that accredited programs align with industry needs and global standards?
Prof Bugaje: Ours is a demand driven curricula. We review the curricula with participation of industry players, professional bodies, etc. As such there is good alignment but I am sure there is also room for improvement. We also wanted to introduce staff industrial training to create greater synergy between our Polytechnics and industry. However, there are a few challenges that are hindering that. For example, MAN used to be a board member in our Polytechnics, but in 2019 when the Polytechnic Act was amended by Unions, this was expunged. NBTE representative in Federal Polytechnics Councils were equally expunged. That’s why many Councils of Polytechnics are facing serious challenges in management of the Institutions. We are looking forward to a reversal of these. I am sure once Manufacturers Association of Nigeria is restored to Governing Councils of federal polytechnics, they will facilitate the training of Polytechnic lecturers in industry and this will create greater synergy.
Education Monitor: What measures did you put in place to monitor and evaluate the quality of accredited programs?
Prof Bugaje: Well, we carry out accreditation every 5 years. Unaccredited programs are denied admission by JAMB and mobilization by NYSC. We also have a full pledged Inspectorate Department that monitors every TVET institution and with the advent of AI, this job is being done with good precision.
Education Monitor: What major achievements would you highlight since assuming office, particularly in 2024?
Prof Bugaje: Well, it is better you allow others to assess your performance according to my culture. But the late Sardauna once said, “if you do not blow your trumpet, nobody will blow it for you”.
I am not trying to be immodest but the little achievements in the past years include the creation of the 6 zonal offices across Nigeria, introduction of technology driven accreditation, a.k.a. digitization, review and development of about 100 curricula and an equal number of National Occupational Standards for skills training, moving Polytechnics to the skills paradigm, introduction of the mandatory skills qualification for every diploma graduate, revival of the Nigerian Journal of Technical Education, available now online, the takeoff of the Nigerian Youths Skills Empowerment (NYSE) program with many young Nigerian diploma holders today finding jobs in Denmark, Poland and other countries, the admission of Nigeria into World Skills International (WSI), NBTE elected as the continental headquarters of the Sub-Saharan Africa, Skills and Apprenticeship Network (SASASNET), etc.
Education Monitor: How have your initiatives impacted the quality of polytechnic education, graduate employability, and industry partnerships?
Prof Bugaje: Surely our Polytechnics are on a better pedestal now, and the admissions are growing for reasons listed earlier.
Education Monitor: Can you share success stories or testimonials from polytechnic graduates, employers, or industry partners?
Prof Bugaje: There are many. But you must have heard of a graduate of HND Microbiology from the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Miss Islamiyat, who got offers from 7 US universities for PhD because of her outstanding results and skills. Even the world famous car designer, Jailani Aliyu was a product of the Federal Polytechnic Birnin Kebbi.
Education Monitor: What are your projections for the polytechnic education sector in 2025, and how do you plan to address emerging challenges?
Prof Bugaje: 2025 is already here. I am happy we now have an Honourable Minsiter of education and the state minister, who are moving Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) on a fast track. We also have a Minister now who tells development partners not to dictate to us but take dictation of our needs from us. With the current leadership, we are set to achieve much in 2025.
Education Monitor: How do you envision the future of polytechnic education in Nigeria, and what role do you see NBTE playing in shaping this future?
Prof Bugaje: The future of Nigeria lies in its Polytechnics. Make or mar, that will be the destination of our dear nation. Technology is now the power behind economic advancement. Polytechnics must therefore be allowed to play their destined role. We look forward to a National Commission for Technical Education to replace the NBTE in 2025, amendment of the Poly Act to allow B.Tech hons to replace HND as already done in Ghana and South Africa. This new Technology degree shall be awarded based on education, character and skills, unlike a university degree which is only based on education and character. The entrance requirement shall be for ND holders only and shall be offered in polytechnics only. This is the lasting solution to the decades old dichotomy and discrimination against HND holders in Nigeria, which is unwarranted.
Education Monitor: What new initiatives or programs will you introduce in 2025 to further enhance the sector?
Prof Bugaje: 2024 saw the unbundling of HND computer science into Artificial Intelligence, Cyber security, Networking and Software. 2025 shall see the introduction of new programs such as Safety Engineering at Diploma level, promotion of new programs in organic and intensive farming, and unbundling of more programs. Skills today are becoming super specific.
Education Monitor: What strategies have you employed to leverage international partnerships and best practices in polytechnic education?
Prof Bugaje: I have already explained NYSE and SASASNET earlier. We shall expand into other partnerships with the Kingdom of Morocco where we currently have about 40 trainees, the People’s Republic of China, with who we shall have a Belt and Road packages for revamping of infrastructure as well as modern laboratory and workshop equipment in our Polytechnics.
Education Monitor: How have you advocated for policy reforms or changes to support the growth and development of polytechnic education in Nigeria?
Prof Bugaje: Ab initio, I have always been a believer in change. Change remains my only constant in whatever I do. As such we shall continue to advocate for reforms of policies, legal instruments, sources of funding, etc. and we shall remain forefront in changing Nigeria for the better.
Education Monitor: What policy recommendations would you make to further strengthen the polytechnic education sector and ensure its sustainability?
Prof Bugaje: Polytechnics should expand their IGR not by over bloated admissions but by production. Let’s copy what Chinese polytechnics are doing. Let’s produce the food staff and students of Polytechnics consume, the fish and chicken, grains and eggs, etc. Let’s repair the vehicles we use ourselves, lets design and build innovative transport with low carbon footprints, such as Electric Vehicles, produce what Nigeria currently but avoidably imports, lets walk the talk of ‘Skills not only Degrees’.