NBTE Boss Urges Six More Years for Tinubu’s Administration to Consolidate Reforms

 The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, stated on May 27, 2025, that President Bola Tinubu’s administration should be allowed to continue for another six years to complete its economic and educational reforms.

Speaking at a vocational training conference in Kaduna, Bugaje argued that Tinubu’s policies, including fuel subsidy removal and technical education expansion, require time to yield sustainable results. He emphasized that Nigeria’s challenges, such as unemployment and infrastructure deficits, demand long-term commitment beyond the current term, which ends in 2027.

Bugaje highlighted NBTE’s achievements under Tinubu, including the accreditation of 150 new polytechnic programs and the launch of Skills Nigeria, a $500 million initiative to train 10 million youths by 2030. He credited Tinubu’s focus on technical education for reducing youth restiveness in northern Nigeria, citing a 20% increase in polytechnic enrollment since 2023. Bugaje also praised the administration’s anti-corruption measures, claiming they have saved ₦200 billion in education funds, though he urged faster implementation of projects like the National Vocational Qualification Framework.

The statement has sparked debate, with APC supporters endorsing Bugaje’s call as a vote of confidence, while PDP and Labour Party leaders criticized it as premature, pointing to inflation (24.48% in January 2025) and hardship. Civil society groups questioned the feasibility of extending Tinubu’s tenure without constitutional amendments, which limit presidents to two four-year terms. Bugaje clarified that his remarks reflect a desire for policy continuity, not a literal extension. The controversy underscores Nigeria’s polarized political landscape, with Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid shaping public discourse.