NBTE to downgrade poly lecturers without Masters five years after employment

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has directed that academic staff in Polytechnics and other Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions who fail to obtain a Master’s degree within five years of employment will be converted to non-teaching staff.

Executive Secretary of NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, issued the directive in a circular dated September 10, 2025, addressed to all rectors and provosts of TVET institutions.

Bugaje expressed dismay that many degree and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders employed as lecturers had failed to upgrade their qualifications despite years of service.

According to him, the regulatory board has now approved a five-year moratorium from the date of employment for academic staff to obtain a Master’s degree.

“Any academic staff who fails to acquire a Master’s degree after five years of employment shall be converted from academic staff to non-teaching staff,” the circular stated.

The NBTE boss said the measure takes immediate effect and warned institutions to ensure strict compliance.

He stressed that the move was aimed at improving teaching standards in polytechnics and other TVET institutions in line with global best practices.

Bugaje urged rectors and provosts to enforce the directive, assuring them of the board’s support in driving quality and professionalism in Nigeria’s technical education sector.