The federal government through the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Board for Technical Education, and stakeholders in the polytechnic sector on Wednesday, August 7, threw their weight behind the establishment of a National Polytechnic Commission to promote academic standards in the sector.
Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education, Sani Gwarzo who spoke on behalf of the ministry at a public hearing on a hill to establish the National Polytechnic Commission said the commission was, long overdue as it will take over proper regulations of the sector.
Gwarzo who commended 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 Nigeria in conformity with their counterparts in other parts of the world.
He said the ministry would support every move aimed at putting in place a standard commission that will ensure standards, assuring that the Ministry was ready to offer any assistance needed to ensure quick passage of the bill and establishment of the commission.
Speaking at the public hearing, Speaker of the House, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen said the National Polytechnic Commission will serve as a regulatory body that ensures standards are upheld across polytechnics nationwide.
He said the initiative aims not only to enhance the quality of education but also to promote uniformity and excellence within our 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 our economy.
He said that the public hearing aligns seamlessly with the legislative agenda aimed at enhancing the educational framework within Nigeria.
Abbas said: “We recognize 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 youth 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”.
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He said further that the creation of the Federal Vocational and Entrepreneurship Institute in Lagos State will provide essential training opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs and _ skilled workers alike. It is envisaged that this institute will focus on equipping individuals with both technical skills and entrepreneurial acumen—an essential combination for fostering innovation and economic growth.
Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Polytechnics abe Higher Technical Education, Hon. Faud Kayode Laguna (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 objective of establishing vocational, entrepreneurship, and skills acquisition Institutions in Nigeria is to train technicians and middle-level personnel that would serve as catalyst for rapid industrialization and the development of the real sector of the economy.
Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Prof. Idris Bugaje said the National Polytechnic Commission was long overdue as other sectors in the Ministry have specialized commissions regulating their activities.
Bugaje said the Polytechnic sector has been left to suffer, while the NOTE saddled with the responsibility of regulating the activities of the polytechnic has continued to suffer a 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.
National President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Comrade Shammah Kpanja said the establishment of the commission is a crucial step towards achieving the country’s educational and economic goals, stressing that it will require government commitment and collaboration with stakeholders.
He said the lack of a dedicated commission for the regulations of polytechnic education in the country has hindered their capacity to actualise their real and assigned mandate.
The ASUP President said the establishment of the commission was of great importance to the nation’s educational and economic advancement as polytechnic plays q vital role in producing graduates with industry-relevant skills.
He said by establishing the commission, the government can address the challenges facing the country and provide a regulatory framework that promotes quality education, industry-relevant skills, research, and innovation.
The chairman of the Conference of Federal Polytechnics in Nigeria, Prof Aliyu Mamman said the absence of the commission has led to the lack of a scheme of service for the nation’s Polytechnics.
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 that set out to address.