Major reason for the socio-economic crisis, particularly unemployment, being experienced in Nigeria is that the focus or reason for introducing polytechnics into the country has been abandoned by successive governments, educationalist have stated.
Another reason, according to them, is that the education curriculum is not constantly reviewed to reflect trends.
These were some of the views expressed by the Chairman, Governing Council, Lagos City Polytechnic, Mr Babatunde Odufuwa; and the keynote speaker, Mr Oluropo Olubode Dada, at the 15th convocation of the polytechnic.
Odufuwa started by recalling why polytechnic education was introduced into Nigeria, saying: “Polytechnic education was essentially introduced into the country to produce technical manpower, provide technical knowledge and skills to give training and impart necessary skills for the production of technicians, technologists and other skilled personnel. They, in turn, shall be enterprising and self-reliant to train people, who can apply scientific knowledge to solve environmental problems for the convenience of man and to give exposure to professional development in the technologies.”
He noted that there had been an “obvious shift in focus,” lamenting that leaders still concentrate attention on raising men and women, who would only be fitted for white-collar jobs.
While he commended the Federal Government for creating the enabling environment for private institutions to thrive, he urged the government to ensure that youths embrace polytechnic education.
Odufuwa, an engineer, who is also the founder of Southwestern University, said: “Presently, youths seeking admission into higher institutions prefer universities to polytechnics.
The general belief is that it is those who do not meet the entering requirements to the universities that are admitted into polytechnics.”
He called on the three tiers of government to increase subventions to polytechnics across board, saying that well-funded polytechnics would drastically reduce unemployment crisis in the country.
Dada made a number of recommendations on how to ensure that education remained a pillar of development stated by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Cabinet Retreat.
He called for a comprehensive review of the tertiary education sector “to draw up a strategic plan and roadmap to revitalise it in line with global best practices.”
He also recommended encouragement of vocational or apprenticeship training; partnership between industry players and tertiary institutions to enable students undertake in-company placements internships; investment in enterprise skills development; and diversification of tertiary education curriculum to meet the needs of labour market.
“Industry demands and standards should inform curriculum development,” he said.
Dada also recommended employment of qualified lecturers and instructors; suspension of further approval of new tertiary institutions by government to enable existing ones consolidate; introduction of public-private partnerships in tertiary institutions and concerted effort by all stakeholders to raise awareness about the value of technical skills and diverse opportunities available through vocational training, among others.
At the event, 261 were conferred with National Diplomas (ND) while 215 were conferred with Higher National Diploma (HND), totaling 476 graduates.
Odufuwa told the graduates: “Life is business and it must be approached with such mentality, only then can you make anything out of it.
“What do I mean by business mentality? It is a mentality that strives at all times towards maximising output: making opportunity. It is the mentality of investment, punctuality, rising up early and sleeping late. It is a mentality that nothing works except one works it.”
The convocation was attended by principal officers, among who were the Acting Rector, Mr A.J. Obadipe; Deputy Rector (Academics), Mr O.O. Isibor; Acting Registrar, Mrs Christiana John; and Director, Corporate Affairs, Mrs I.A. Odufuwa.
The event also featured prize presentations to winners in various categories.
