The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Board for Technical Education and stakeholders in the polytechnics sector are finally on the same page about the need for a dedicated commission to regulate polytechnic education. Despite being established to produce middle-level manpower for the country, the polytechnics remain the tertiary institutions in the country regulated by a board and not a commission. TONY AKOWE reports on the move to give legal backing to the clamour for a National Polytechnics Commission.
The struggle for polytechnics commission
The battle for the establishment of a dedicated commission to regulate polytechnic and monotechnic education in the country dates back to the 1990s when some polytechnic workers, under the auspices of the Polytechnic Lecturers’ Association of Nigeria (POLYCAD), and the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), started the struggle for a separate commission to regulate polytechnic education. Their argument then was the differences in focus and philosophy between polytechnics and universities. Incidentally, the polytechnics appeared to be the only arm of the education sector without a dedicated commission.
While the universities are regulated by the National Universities Commission, the colleges of Education, the primary schools, the secondary schools, nomadic education, adult and none formal education and until recently, the Almajirai and out-of-school children have dedicated commissions regulating their activities. The need for the commission later gained traction with the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics and alumni association of polytechnics joining the fray. Arising from pressure, the Federal Government set up a committee in 2010 to review the mandate of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and consider the possibility of the establishment of a separate commission for polytechnics.
ASUP, however, took the demand for a commission to the next level in 2015 when they embarked on strike, demanding, among others, the establishment of the commission. The strike, which lasted for several weeks, was suspended after the government agreed to address the issues. But it was not until 2017,it eventually announced plans to establish a National Polytechnics Commission, but the process was delayed due to various factors.
The regulation of polytechnics in the country is currently undertaken by the NBTE alongside other vocational training institutions. While the NBTE says it is currently supervising about 700 institutions, ASUP said the body is currently supervising over 900 of such institutions and, therefore, overburdened. The role of the NBTE, which is currently playing the role expected of the polytechnic commission, also cover all technical and vocational institutions offering both tertiary and sub-tertiary educational services. They include Polytechnics, Colleges of Agriculture, Colleges of Health Sciences and Technology, Colleges of Nursing and Midwifery, Specialised Institutions (Monotechnic), Innovation Enterprise Institutions (IEIs), Vocational Enterprise Institutions (VEIs), and Technical Colleges.
Apparently flowing from the promise by the government, Fred Agbedi (PDP, Bayelsa) introduced a bill to establish the National Polytechnic Regulatory Commission into the 8th Assembly (2015-2019). But just as the government’s action remained a promise, the bill never went beyond first reading. Just as the agitation continued into the 9th Assembly (2019-2023), with stakeholders arguing that a separate commission would address the unique challenges facing polytechnic education in Nigeria, Agbedi again reintroduced the bill, which also did not go beyond the first reading. Also, the same bill introduced by Farah Dagogo into the 9th Assembly also did not go beyond the first reading, thereby stalling the idea.
Historically, there has been serious opposition to the establishment of a National Polytechnics Commission. Some of those who opposed the idea, including some other regulatory bodies in the education sector and academic staff believe that having a separate commission for polytechnic education would lead to duplication of efforts and create unnecessary bureaucracy. Some others expressed concerns that a separate commission for polytechnics would undermine the university system and create a parallel education system. Incidentally, some officials of the Federal Ministry of Education have also argued that the existing NBTE was sufficient to regulate polytechnic education. This is in addition to some bureaucratic resistance and the fear of fragmentation from some stakeholders have expressed concerns that a separate commission for polytechnics would fragment the education system and create divisions between universities and polytechnics. There has also been the lack of political will on the part of the government to achieve this.
The need to address NBTE challenges
President of ASUP, Shammah S. Kpanja, stressed that “the number of these institutions with their diverse mandates already place a huge burden on the regulatory capacity of the NBTE and adversely affecting the effectiveness of the board. The absence of a regulatory body for polytechnics has led to gaps in standardisation, quality control and accountability of the institutions. The NBTE is unarguably stretched in both material and human resources needed to adequately oversee this number of institutions. The Federal Ministry of Education in realisation of the need for a dedicated commission to oversee polytechnics and in agreement with the position of our union included the establishment of this commission in its Ministerial Road Map for 2024 – 2027. This road map has been approved by the President”.
Other stakeholders believe that to address these challenges, there is a need for a regulatory body that is solely dedicated to overseeing and regulating polytechnics in the country. The establishment of a Commission for Polytechnics would provide a platform for standardisation, quality control and accountability. The commission would be responsible for accreditation, curriculum development, staff training, and the regulation of academic programmes in polytechnics amongst other functions. This would ensure that polytechnics adhere to a set of standardised guidelines and meet the required quality standards, which would enhance their effectiveness and impact on national development and also position them for global competitiveness. The union believes that the proposed commission would play a crucial role in promoting quality education and industry-relevant skills by performing variety of functions such as enhancing the standard of polytechnic education, ensuring that graduates possess the necessary skills and competencies required for employment in various industries, and promoting research and innovation in technical education.
House, Ministry, others support commission’s establishment
As part of its plan at enhancing the polytechnic sector, the government has finally committed to the establishment of the commission as contained in the Renewed Hope action plan for education 2024 to 2027. Available information revealed that the initiative aims to enhance the quality of education, promote uniformity and excellence within the polytechnic system, and ensure graduates are well-equipped for the workforce.
For the first time since the idea was muted, a proper legal framework is set to be put in place. A Bill for an Act to Establish National Polytechnic Commission to Supervise, Regulate and Co-ordinate Polytechnics sponsored by Iduma Igariwey (PDP, Ebonyi) is currently being considered by the House of Representatives. While leading the debate on the bill, Igariwey said the bill seeks to establish the commission for the regulation of tertiary education in polytechnics nationally and is in line with the legislative agenda of the House. He allayed concerns that the commission will bring more cost burden on the government, especially at time when the government is considering streamlining agencies as a way of saving cost. He reminded members that since similar commissions already exist to monitor university education, it is only fair to have one that will regulate polytechnic affairs. He stated that the Bill is completely in response to the yearning of those in the technical education sector.
Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education, Sani Gwarzo, spoke of the decision of government to establish the commission, saying it was long overdue as it will take over proper regulations of the sector. Gwarzo, who lauded the House for initiating the bill, said ordinarily, the proposal should have come from the ministry, adding that apart from coming at the right time, the commission when established will bring the polytechnics in conformity with their counterparts in other parts of the world. He said the ministry will support every move aimed at putting in place a standard commission that will ensure standard, assuring that the ministry was ready to offer any assistance needed to ensure quick passage of the bill and establishment of the commission.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, said the National Polytechnic Commission will serve as a regulatory body that ensures standards are upheld across polytechnics nationwide. The Speaker said the initiative aims not only to enhance the quality of education, but also to promote uniformity and excellence within the polytechnic system, adding that by doing so, we can ensure that graduates from these institutions are well-prepared to meet industry demands and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economy.
Abbas said: “We recognise that in an increasingly competitive global environment, it is imperative that we equip our youth with relevant skills and knowledge. The proposed agency and institutions will serve as beacons of excellence — providing qualitative education that meets international standards while also being tailored to meet local needs. In recent years, there has been an increasing recognition of the critical role that technical and vocational education plays in national development. It is no longer sufficient for our educational institutions to merely impart theoretical knowledge; we must also equip our youths with practical skills that will enable them to thrive in an ever-evolving job market. The establishment of these institutions is a testament to our resolve to bridge the gap between education and employment.”
Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, Faud Kayode Laguda (APC, Lagos), said that the public hearing was to facilitate the process of passage of the Bills into Law, adding that each of the bills is tailored towards enacting laws that will bring about the much-needed improvement in the socio-economic development of the country, and invariably promoting our quest for sustainable human capital development required for a self-reliant society. He said the objectives of establishing vocational, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition institutions is to train technicians and middle-level personnel that would serve as catalyst for rapid industrialisation and the development of the real sector of the economy.
Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Prof. Idris Bugaje, also believes that the National Polytechnic Commission was long overdue as other sectors in the ministry have specialised commissions regulating their activities. Bugaje said the polytechnic sector has been left to suffer, while the NBTE saddled with the responsibility of regulating activities of the polytechnic has continued to suffer lack of adequate manpower and resources. He said currently, the NBTE is saddled with the responsibility of regulating over 700 institutions, adding that the establishment of the polytechnic commission will ensure proper regulation of the nation’s polytechnic as well as periodic review of their curriculum. Bugaje wants the assets and liabilities of the NBTE transferred to the proposed commission, while the component of the NBTE dealing with Technical Colleges should be transferred to the Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council.
Chairman of Conference of Federal Polytechnics in Nigeria, Prof. Aliyu Mamman, said the absence of the commission has led to lack of a scheme of service for the nation’s polytechnics. Mamman said the absence of a dedicated commission has robbed the sector of a proper scheme of service. He said the recently released scheme of service by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation had to be withdrawn because it created more problems in the sector than it set out to address.
The Senior Staff Association of Polytechnics also believes that the establishment of a commission for polytechnics is a crucial step toward achieving the country’s educational and economic goals. The union stressed that this step would require the government’s commitment and collaboration with stakeholders to overcome potential challenges and ensure the successful passage of this important Bill. The commission, he said, would facilitate research and innovation, leading to the development of new technologies and products that can address societal challenges and enhance the country’s global competitiveness in this area. Kpanja argued that the benefits of a commission for polytechnics are numerous and far-reaching as it would provide students with high-quality education and training, educators with the resources and support needed to deliver quality instruction and industry with a skilled workforce that can drive economic growth and development. According to him, the establishment the commission is of great importance for the country’s educational and economic development as polytechnics play a vital role in producing graduates with industry-relevant skills, conducting research, and fostering innovation in various sectors of the economy.
Speaking during the second reading of the bill, Igariwey said: “It is expected that the Federal Government will this time accent to the bill if and when it goes through the rigours of the National Assembly. This is because the establishment of the commission features prominently in the approved road map for the nation’s education sector (2024-2027). It is, therefore, expected that the creation of a dedicated commission for polytechnics will not go against the report, but rather strengthen the disposition of the government towards the development of skill-based education in the country.”
