The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has firmly rejected an online report claiming that its Executive Secretary, Dr. Bugaje, is under investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
In a statement released by the Head of the Media Unit, Mrs. Fatima Abubakar, the board clarified that the report, published on February 10, 2025, was false and misleading. The statement emphasized that the Executive Secretary is not under any investigation by the ICPC.
The report, titled “NBTE Executive Secretary under fire over multimillion Naira fraud allegation,” was linked to a group of NBTE staff members who are currently under investigation for corruption and unprofessional conduct.
The board explained that the allegations stemmed from a dispute involving a suspended director and his collaborators. The director had made accusations of fund diversion related to accreditation activities, which had been addressed through official channels with the Ministry of Education and other relevant government bodies.
In the statement, the NBTE clarified the processes around the accreditation of institutions, especially regarding the transition from physical to digital accreditation. The shift to digital accreditation in 2024 was highlighted as a significant reform, and the backlog of physical accreditations, some paid in 2021, had now been cleared. The statement also noted that physical accreditation would be phased out in March 2025, with digital methods being fully adopted thereafter.
The board also addressed concerns over the costs of accreditation activities, including the payment of external resource persons. It was explained that the cost for hosting such events was reasonable and in line with industry standards, with additional components beyond cash advances for the resource persons.
On the matter of NBTE Consult Ltd, the statement affirmed that the company, established under the leadership of Dr. Bugaje in 2021, operates within the law and generates additional revenue for the board’s activities.
Finally, the board dismissed claims regarding the sale of “luxury cars,” clarifying that when Dr. Bugaje took office in 2021, he inherited damaged vehicles and had to purchase new ones through the capital budget.
The NBTE reiterated its commitment to transparency, digital innovation, and the advancement of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nigeria, stating that it would remain focused on its mission despite the ongoing campaign of misinformation.
