By Ameh Gabriel
Not only has the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in Kaduna been refined with a golden touch, but its current Executive Secretary, Professor Idris M. Bugaje, has laid a solid legacy for the future of polytechnics and technical education in Nigeria.
As the African proverb goes, “Give work to the man who knows it best, and you will have no reason to complain.” That perfectly captures the persona of Prof. Bugaje—a trailblazer, a goal-getter, and a beacon of vision and integrity whose service has continued to inspire admiration across the country. Renowned for his nationalistic, non-tribalistic ideals and deep-rooted values, he leads with wisdom and compassion.
Prof. Bugaje’s career spans decades of dedication to education, research, and public service. Starting out as a NYSC corps member at Warri Refinery in 1980, he moved through the ranks in various esteemed institutions—from the Nigerian Paper Mill, Jebba, to the Energy Research Centre, University of Sokoto, and later joined Kaduna Polytechnic in 1988. His academic journey took him to Ahmadu Bello University, University of Malaya, Malaysia, University of Johannesburg, and University of Maiduguri, among others.
He served as Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, and later became the Director General of the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT) in 2011. In 2017, he returned to Kaduna Polytechnic as Rector and, in 2021, was appointed Executive Secretary of NBTE.
Since taking the helm at NBTE, Prof. Bugaje has initiated transformative policies and programmes that are repositioning technical education in Nigeria. Among his early achievements was the establishment of six NBTE Zonal Offices and the launch of NBTE Consult Ltd. He also revived the UNESCO-supported Centre of Excellence.
In response to youth unemployment and migration challenges, NBTE under Prof. Bugaje has partnered with ERYK Group to send Nigerian students to Denmark and Poland for work-study opportunities. Through the Nigerian Youth Skills Empowerment (NYSE) programme, 1,000 students are expected to benefit from international training over the next decade. Collaborations with Morocco and China further underscore NBTE’s global outreach in vocational skill development.
With support from TETFund, the World Bank, and the Federal Government, NBTE has undertaken comprehensive curriculum development and review, introduced National Occupational Standards, and made strategic efforts to formalize Nigeria’s informal skill sectors.
Today, NBTE staff enjoy unprecedented access to training and professional development. The board’s renewed focus on skills revitalization is creating a robust pipeline of industry-ready graduates and helping curb insecurity by addressing youth unemployment.
In every sense, Prof. Bugaje is the right leader at the right time—his reforms are not just impactful but historic. His legacy at NBTE will be remembered as a turning point in Nigeria’s march toward technical excellence.
