Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
President Bola Tinubu has approved a series of new appointments and reappointments in several key institutions under the Federal Ministry of Education, including the National Examinations Council (NECO), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the Federal Polytechnic N'yak-Shendam in Plateau State, and the National Library of Nigeria. The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. The appointments reflect the administration’s ongoing effort to reposition critical educational agencies for improved service delivery and institutional reform.
One of the most notable appointments is that of Professor Modupe Adeola Adelabu as Chairman of the Governing Board of NECO. Professor Adelabu is a retired Professor of Educational Administration and a former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State. She previously served as Chairman of the National Board for Technical Education, bringing a wealth of administrative and academic experience to her new role. Meanwhile, the current Registrar of NECO, Professor Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, has been retained in office, ensuring continuity in the management of the national examination body as it prepares for future assessments.
For the National Board for Technical Education, President Tinubu appointed Professor Babatunde Salako as Chairman. Professor Salako is a renowned academic and researcher who served as Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research from 2016 to 2024. His appointment is expected to strengthen the board’s capacity to regulate and promote technical and vocational education across the country. In addition, the President reappointed the incumbent Executive Secretary of NBTE, Professor Idris M. Bugaje, for a second and final term of five years. The reappointment allows Professor Bugaje to continue ongoing reforms aimed at improving the quality and relevance of technical education in Nigeria.
The President also approved the appointment of Engineer Dr Bongfa Binfa as Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, N'yak-Shendam, Plateau State. Dr Binfa holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and was, until his appointment, Deputy Rector (Academic) at the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny. He succeeds Dr Mukaila Zakari Ya’u, the pioneer Rector of the institution, whose tenure ended in March 2026. Dr Binfa’s appointment is for a single term of five years. He is expected to build on the foundational work of his predecessor and steer the polytechnic toward academic excellence and technological innovation.
In the library sector, President Tinubu renewed the tenure of Professor Chinwe Veronica Anunobi as Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria. Professor Anunobi was first appointed in September 2021. During her tenure, she has led major reforms aimed at transforming the National Library into a modern, technology-driven institution. Notable achievements include the development of the National Repository of Nigeria and the National Virtual Library. The President noted that the renewal of her tenure will ensure continuity in ongoing reforms, completion of the National Library Headquarters in Abuja, and the successful implementation of the institution’s 2025 to 2030 Strategic Plan.
The appointments have been widely welcomed by stakeholders in the education sector. Academic and professional bodies have expressed confidence in the ability of the new appointees to deliver on their mandates. The choice of Professor Adelabu, with her background in educational administration and previous leadership at NBTE, has been praised as a strategic move to enhance NECO’s oversight. Similarly, Professor Salako’s scientific and research background is seen as an asset for NBTE, particularly as the government pushes for greater synergy between technical education and industrial needs.
For the Federal Polytechnic N’yak-Shendam, the appointment of Dr Binfa is expected to bring fresh engineering expertise and international exposure to a relatively young institution. The polytechnic, located in Plateau State, was established to expand access to technical education in the North Central region. With Dr Binfa at the helm, stakeholders anticipate improved academic programmes, stronger industry linkages, and enhanced infrastructure development. The President’s decision to retain Professor Bugaje as Executive Secretary of NBTE underscores the administration’s commitment to policy continuity and long-term planning in technical education.
The renewal of Professor Anunobi’s tenure at the National Library is particularly significant given the strategic importance of the institution in preserving the nation’s intellectual heritage. The completion of the National Library Headquarters in Abuja has been a long-standing goal, and the 2025 to 2030 Strategic Plan outlines ambitious targets for digitisation, public access, and international collaboration. By keeping Professor Anunobi in office, President Tinubu has signaled his desire to see these projects through to completion.
These appointments are part of a broader pattern of leadership changes in the education sector under the Tinubu administration. Earlier in April, the President appointed Dr Fatima Suleiman Zuntu as the new Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency. The administration has consistently emphasised the need for competent, reform-minded leaders in federal agencies. The latest round of appointments reflects a balance between experienced technocrats and fresh talent, with a focus on continuity in key positions where ongoing reforms require stability.
As the new appointees assume their duties, the expectations are high. Nigerians look to NECO, NBTE, the Federal Polytechnic N’yak-Shendam, and the National Library to deliver measurable improvements in their respective areas of responsibility. For President Tinubu, these appointments are another step in fulfilling his campaign promise to reposition Nigeria’s educational system for the challenges of the 21st century. The success of these agencies will ultimately be judged by their ability to serve students, educators, researchers, and the broader public with efficiency, transparency, and innovation.
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