At the forefront of Africa’s drive toward practical and industry-relevant education, Professor Idris M. Bugaje, Executive Secretary of Nigeria’s National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), delivered a rousing keynote address at the 2nd Regional Conference of the Southern Africa Skills Development and Academic Staff Network (SASASNET), held in Mombasa.
Renowned as Africa’s leading voice for the “Skills Not Degrees” campaign, Prof. Bugaje challenged policymakers, educators, and stakeholders from across the continent to reimagine education systems to focus on competency-based learning and vocational training.
Speaking in his capacity as Chair of Chairs, Prof. Bugaje emphasized that the continent’s economic transformation hinges on developing a skilled workforce, not merely the proliferation of academic certificates.
> “Africa must invest in skills to unlock the potential of its youthful population,” he asserted. “Degrees alone will not build our economies—skills will.”
The conference, which brought together a broad spectrum of academic leaders, policymakers, and technical education experts, explored strategies to strengthen institutional capacity and promote skills development as a cornerstone of Africa’s sustainable growth.
Prof. Bugaje’s speech resonated with delegates, many of whom echoed the urgency of aligning Africa’s educational priorities with the evolving demands of modern industries. His leadership, both at NBTE and within continental forums, continues to shape the future of technical and vocational education in Africa.
His presence at SASASNET reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to educational reform and highlights the broader continental momentum toward empowering young Africans through practical, hands-on learning.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.