Henry Ford once remarked, “Working together is success.” This timeless principle captures the leadership style of Professor Idris Muhammad Bugaje, whose tenure as the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has been marked by purposeful teamwork, strategic partnerships, and transformative reforms.
Under his stewardship, the NBTE has evolved into a hub of innovation within Nigeria’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem.
Strategic Collaborations for National Development
Prof. Bugaje’s emphasis on collaboration aligns strongly with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in skills development, job creation, and institutional synergy. Inspired by John Mason’s insight that “Unless you try to do beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow,” he has pursued partnerships that broaden the frontiers of Nigeria’s TVET landscape.
A notable achievement is NBTE’s participation in the Paris International Agricultural Show (PIAS), a global platform for agricultural innovation. This engagement facilitated a UNESCO-supported initiative to strengthen formal and informal agro-processing sectors in Kano State, marking a significant step for Nigeria’s agrifood value chain.
Driving Agritech Integration in TVET Institutions
Walter Bagehot once observed, “The greatest pleasure in life is doing what others say cannot be done.” Prof. Bugaje’s leadership reflects this spirit through the integration of Agritech across TVET institutions.
His model of utilising institutional farmlands for combined crop and livestock production has enhanced food security initiatives, strengthened practical teaching and research, and boosted internally generated revenue (IGR) across polytechnics.
This approach now stands as a blueprint for agriculture-driven empowerment within the TVET system.
A Paradigm Shift in Skill Export
Under his direction, NBTE entered a strategic partnership with ERYK Group in Denmark and Poland to launch the Nigerian Youth Skills Empowerment Programme (NYSE).
This initiative provides Nigerian polytechnic graduates with advanced technical training and industrial placements in Europe representing a major shift in Nigeria’s approach to exporting skilled manpower.
Strengthening Academic Pathways and Centres of Excellence
Echoing Napoleon Hill’s wisdom that “Tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today,” Prof. Bugaje has worked consistently to enhance academic progression and professional mobility for Nigerian youths.
Key milestones include: the establishment of the NBTE–UNESCO Centre of Excellence for TVET, collaboration with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to introduce the MTec programme, and
the creation of structured academic pathways that improve opportunities for HND holders.
These reforms position Nigeria’s TVET graduates for increased competitiveness in the global knowledge economy.
Digital Transformation, AI Integration, and Global Networks
NBTE’s renewed membership in the UNEVOC Network has strengthened Nigeria’s relevance in global skills development. Additional milestones under Prof. Bugaje’s leadership include
partnership with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) to train TVET teachers in digital competencies and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into curriculum development,
Others are the development of a national framework for Open and Distance Learning (ODL), training of over 500 Computer Science lecturers through collaboration with Cisco International, and hosting the pioneering Teacher-in-the-Loop AI (TiL-AI) workshop in Kaduna.
These achievements reflect NBTE’s increasing role in digital innovation and 21st-century skills deployment.
Innovations in Industrial Training and Technology Adoption
Through its partnership with Whitecloud TVET Solutions, NBTE introduced Soldamatic Augmented Reality Welding Technology to Nigeria—an advanced solution for closing the nation’s welding skills gap.
Other collaborations with Autoges Vehicle Training, NBA, and ICE Hub Technology are equipping Nigerian technicians with essential skills in auto-gas vehicle conversion and maintenance, in line with the Presidential CNG Initiative.
Global Recognition and Continental Leadership
Under Prof. Bugaje’s leadership, Nigeria gained admission into WorldSkills International (WSI) and was elected the continental headquarters for the Sub-Saharan Africa Skills and Apprenticeship Network.
This recognition elevates Nigeria’s influence in global skills development and underscores NBTE’s expanding continental footprint.
Conclusion
Prof. Idris Bugaje stands today among Africa’s most visionary leaders in technical and vocational education. His results-driven collaborations, bold reforms, and unwavering commitment to excellence have positioned NBTE as a catalyst for national transformation.
In the words of Wayne Dyer, “Successful people bring success to what they do.”
Prof. Bugaje’s leadership embodies this truth delivering hope, expanding opportunities, and laying a solid foundation for the future of Nigeria’s skilled workforce.
