In a scandal that is rocking Nigeria’s National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), staffers are raising grave allegations of fraud and large-scale job racketeering under the tenure of Executive Secretary Professor Idris Bugaje. According to insiders, the board has been plunged into turmoil as over fifty individuals were allegedly recruited unlawfully and placed in promotional positions—some even while still on probation, flagrantly breaching public service rules and procedures.
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Shadowy Promotions and Questionable Transfers
Central to the controversy are reports that Dr Zakari Abdullahi and Dr Moses Yelleng—staff members still on probation after being hired in March 2023—were elevated to Deputy Director roles in January 2025, well ahead of their eligibility under established promotion guidelines. One source specifically noted that while Dr Zakari had no prior public service experience, Dr Yelleng had been dismissed by Kaduna State University for serious misconduct—an allegation allegedly concealed during recruitment and uncovered only during an Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) prob.
Also flagged was Dr Hadiza, formerly of NECO, who was reportedly transferred into NBTE without formal approval from the Governing Board or the Minister of Education and immediately promoted to Deputy Director—despite a regulation prohibiting promotions upon inter-service transfers. These individuals were then posted into leadership roles that were vacated when more senior colleagues were made redundant—prompting sharp criticism from affected staff.
Alleged Impersonation of Oversight, Payroll Swells Amid Redundancies
Dissatisfaction is rife among NBTE staffers, who accuse Professor Bugaje of operating the board unchecked—effectively as a “sole administrator”—with the Ministry of Education’s oversight described as lax or non-existent. Since late 2024, more than 50 recruits were allegedly inserted onto the government’s Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) in disregard of mandatory approvals—from the Board, Ministry of Education, Head of Civil Service, Federal Character Commission, and Budget Office.
Payroll records from August 2024 to July 2025 show 25 fresh entries, even as numerous staff members were rendered redundant—raising troubling questions about motive and propriety. Staff comments reveal frustration that newer recruits occupy positions once held by long-serving employees, fostering resentment and fear among those excluded.
A Call for Intervention: NBTE Staff Plead for Ministry Action
As the scandal unfolds, NBTE staff members are appealing to the Education Ministry to step in and halt what they describe as “deceitful reform” at the board. They argue that Bugaje’s actions—ranging from reckless hiring, disruptive promotions, and sidelining of senior employees—are destabilising the institution and undermining Nigeria’s technical and vocational education system.
Campaigners also draw attention to Prof Bugaje’s past: he was reportedly dismissed by Usmanu Danfodiyo University’s Centre for Renewable Energy and barred from public office by a government white paper on the Presidential Visitation Panel to Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa during his prior tenure as Rector.
Repeated attempts by SaharaReporters to obtain a response from Prof Bugaje via phone or text were unsuccessful as of the time of publication.
Conclusion
This unfolding fraud and job racketeering scandal at the NBTE underscores deep-rooted governance failures and abuse of public office. Staff grievances highlight how systemic rules were allegedly flouted to advantage a select few, while sidelining deserving and senior officers. As calls for ministerial intervention grow louder, the future of proper governance and integrity at the NBTE hangs in the balance.
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