The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has directed that lecturers in polytechnics and other Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions who do not obtain a Master’s degree within five years of employment will be moved to non-teaching roles.
In a circular dated 10 September and addressed to rectors and provosts, NBTE Executive Secretary Professor Idris Bugaje said many lecturers with only first degrees or Higher National Diplomas had failed to upgrade their qualifications despite years in service.
The regulatory body said the policy takes immediate effect, giving academic staff a strict five-year grace period from the date of employment to acquire a Master’s degree.
“Any academic staff who fails to obtain a Master’s degree after five years of employment shall be converted from academic to non-teaching staff,” the circular stated.
Professor Bugaje urged heads of institutions to ensure strict enforcement, saying the measure was aimed at raising teaching standards in Nigeria’s polytechnics and TVET sector and aligning them with global best practices.
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