President Bola Tinubu has approved the reappointment of Professor Idris Bugaje as Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for a second and final five-year term.
Professor Bugaje was initially appointed on March 14, 2021, by former President Muhammadu Buhari, with his first tenure ending in March 2026.
The renewal was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday, 1st April, 2026 by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, titled ‘President Tinubu renews appointment of Professor Idris Bugaje as Executive Secretary of NBTE.’
According to the statement, the decision followed a thorough assessment of Bugaje’s performance, leadership capacity, and the notable progress recorded in the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector during his first term.
The Presidency noted that the NBTE’s achievements under Bugaje align with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda for education. These include the strategic repositioning of Nigeria’s TVET system, comprehensive curriculum reforms, and the development and review of over 100 national curricula to meet evolving global skills demands.
The NBTE serves as the regulatory body overseeing technical and vocational education in Nigeria, including polytechnics, monotechnics, technical colleges, and innovation enterprise institutions. It is responsible for accreditation, standard-setting, and coordination across the sector.
President Tinubu urged Bugaje to use his renewed mandate to consolidate ongoing reforms and ensure the completion of key initiatives already in progress.
An academic and seasoned administrator, Professor Bugaje holds a doctorate and brings extensive experience in technical education management. His second tenure will run until March 2031, in line with civil service provisions that limit such appointments to a maximum of two five-year terms.
