The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has announced that lecturers 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 reclassified as non-teaching staff.
The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, conveyed the directive in a circular dated September 10, 2025, and sent to rectors and provosts of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
In the document, Bugaje noted with concern that several lecturers employed with degree and Higher National Diploma (HND) qualifications had not advanced their academic standing despite spending years in 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 Nation also reported the NBTE boss said the measure takes immediate effect and warned institutions to ensure strict compliance.
He explained that the policy was introduced to raise the quality of teaching in polytechnics and other TVET institutions, aligning Nigeria’s system with international standards.
Bugaje appealed to rectors and provosts to ensure the directive is implemented, giving his assurance that the board would stand behind them in efforts to strengthen professionalism and enhance technical education across the country.
