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  • HND holders to get lecturing jobs, as polytechnics get new schemes of service

    HND holders to get lecturing jobs, as polytechnics get new schemes of service

    In the new schemes of service approved for polytechnics, holders of Higher National Diploma (HND) will now be employed as lecturers in the institution.

    This was disclosed yesterday during the presentation of the new schemes of service to polytechnics’ stakeholders by the Executive Secretary of National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Mohammed Bugaje.

    The NBTE boss, while presenting the schemes as approved by the Head of Service, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, said under the schemes, the instructor cadre, which represents segregation against HND holders in the past, has been abolished.

    Prof. Bugaje stated that the new schemes of service, which became operational from June 7, 2024, presents a unified approach to the recruitment and promotion of staff across Nigerian polytechnics, Federal, state, and even private.

    According to him, “from June 7, 20024, all previous versions of the schemes of service, cease to become legal tender. We are all united from now onwards to operate the new schemes of service in the Nigerian Polytechnic System (NPS).

    “This milestone has taken over a decade of struggle and efforts by our Staff Unions, Rectors of Polytechnics through their COHEADS/COFER bodies, the Federal Ministry of Education, and the NBTE. I must commend all of you for all your contributions and pray that we shall operationalize the new Schemes of Service with all sense of responsibility.

    “When I took office in April 2021, I announced my 3-S Agenda as my key areas of focus as Executive Secretary, namely the Skills development agenda, the Spirit of work in the NBTE which must be revived and a new Scheme of service that gives recognition to the products of the Nigerian Polytechnic System. With gratitude to Allah, the Most High, I am glad to announce that, working with you as a team, we have been able to achieve all the three within 3 years.

    “Schemes of Service cannot be said to be perfect, since it is man-made, and could still be subject to future reviews. But we are happy with the new Schemes for the following innovations: HND Holders with good grades are now to be appointed as Academic Staff (Graduate Assistants), like their degree counterparts, in a system that is theirs.

    “The instructor cadre, which represents segregation against HND holders in the past, has been abolished. The technician cadre has been subsumed by the technologist cadre, allowing ND holders to be appointed as Assistant Technologists.

    “The Pharmacy Technology cadre has been maintained. For those with a HND in Pharmacy Technology, but who may not be allowed to work in hospitals by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, their space in the public service has been retained.

    “An area of contention raised by ASUP is the terminal level for the Registry Cadre which is now the Deputy Registrar (CONTEDISS 15) since the position of the Registrar is tenured on consolidated salary like other principal officers.

    “This matter is easily resolvable because the salary of the Registrar Cadre is CONTEDISS, not CONPCASS (academic staff). Equally, an area of concern for other Unions (SSANIP and NASU) is that skipping has been abolished. This is open for discussion with the HoSF to get this position streamlined along with the provisions in other cadres of public service.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu: we’ll arrest kidnappers of Fouani brothers

    “The requirement of NSQ Level 3 minimum for Senior Lecturers and above is a positive step aimed at institutionalizing skills training in the Polytechnics. Let me advise that current lecturers seeking promotion to senior level shall be given three years moratorium to acquire the NSQ (or its equivalent) and where necessary shall be offered Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to qualify.

    “This provision shall put check on the inflow of academic staff from universities into our polytechnics, especially those who may not have skills qualification. On the overall, the new Schemes of Service presents a unified approach to the recruitment and promotion of staff across Nigerian polytechnics, Federal, State, and even private.

    “We shall use it as an instrument of accreditation in old and new Institutions in terms of compliance. These marvelous achievements were made possible by the Mother of Skills Development in Nigeria, the Head of Service of the Federation, a pillar of support for the Polytechnic sector, and a very fair arbiter in our affairs, Dr. Mrs Folasade Yemi-Esan, CFR. We are most grateful for her tireless efforts that culminated in today’s celebration.

  • HND top-up meant for people who want to pursue academic career, says NBTE

    HND top-up meant for people who want to pursue academic career, says NBTE

    The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has said the new online top-up programme for Higher National Diploma (HND) holders to acquire a Bachelor’s Degree for one year with foreign accredited universities is meant for HND holders who want to pursue an academic career.

    The Executive Secretary of NBTE, Idris Bugaje said the programme was not for all HND holders but those who have the ambition to further their career in an academic environment such as teaching and research in the Polytechnics or Universities.

    In a statement by the NBTE head of media unit, Fatima Abubakar, the ES said the top-up was an alternative to the Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) offered by Nigerian Universities.

    He said: “In a democracy such as ours, HND holders should be allowed to make a choice between PGD and the Top-up to BSc. The board said the clarification became necessary following the misunderstandings about the programme in a section of the media.

    “The top-up is not bringing an end to HND programs in Polytechnics but rather provides choice to HND holders wanting to go for an academic career. The choice of starting it with Foreign Universities is to show its universal acceptability perchance the Nigerian Universities may eventually buy into it in due course. The cost is reasonable, just about 10 percent of what regular face-to-face students pay.”

    The NBTE said it had come up with the programme to enable interested Polytechnic HND holders to be at par with their counterparts with Bachelor’s degree holders and make it easy for them to go for their Master’s and Doctorate degrees for those interested in pursuing their career in academics.

    Read Also: Dangers of conversion of HND to degrees

    The statement added: “During the unveiling of the program early this month, Prof Bugaje, said the initiative would ease the suffering of HND holders in the country and to keep the hope alive, the NBTE had to find an alternative route, which is for them to do a one-year top up, in conjunction with some foreign universities. Presently there are many Ph.D. holders who academically progressed with HND through the PGD coming back to enroll for BSc (after their Ph.D.) in Nigerian Universities, a very retrogressive step indeed.

    “The HND qualification in itself represents something unique” and this top-up shall be an encouragement for candidates to apply for Polytechnic education since there is a pathway for progression into academics. This will never dilute the essence of technical education but rather enhance it.”

  • High level of indiscipline among Nigerian youths worrisome, says Rector

    The rector of the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Prof. Mohammed Atureta, has decried what he described as the prevalence of various acts of indiscipline among Nigerian youths.

    Atureta, a professor of mathematics, who pointed at the ugly trend during the matriculation ceremony performed for the 3,200 new National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) students of the school, lamented that cherished national virtues were being lost to myriads of social vices.

    He said that the school, as a reformist institution, will do all within its powers to deliver on its responsibility of molding its students into future leaders.

    READ ALSO: Kogi Poly Rector resigns as deputy steps in

    He commended the efforts of the Visitor to the polytechnic, Governor Yahaya Bello, for his support to the institution, despite dwindling state resources, and for providing the secured environment for learning, through his zero tolerance agenda for insecurity.

    “It is our responsibility to mold you as youths into future leaders. However, it is regrettable to state that the high incidence of indiscipline among Nigerian youths is worrisome.

    “The great virtues of hard work, dedication to studies, honesty, integrity and morality have been lost to social vices like indecency, list for money, lukewarm attitude to studies and various shades of immortality.

    “This polytechnic is a reformist institution where youths are prepared to face the challenges of life, such as unemployment after graduation.

    “In this regard, I will implore each one of you to take advantage of our entrepreneurship programmes by picking up training in one vocation,” said the rector.

  • NATE hails Buhari for scrapping HND, BSC disparity in civil service

    The Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for scrapping the disparity that exists between HND and BSC graduates in the Federal Civil Service.

    The scrapping of the dichotomy was announced through a circular from the office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita and dated 26th March, 2018.

    National President (NATE), Ahmed Yabagi, who briefed reporters on Saturday in Abuja, said with the decision, engineering graduates of Polytechnics could now move above the level 14 to 17 in the civil service and even aspire to be Permanent Secretaries.

    He said NATE had already setup a committee to ensure that all states implement the decision taken by the Federal Government.

    Mr. Yabagi disclosed that three states – Kwara, Katsina and Kano had already scrapped the dichotomy in its civil service by making sure that engineering graduates of Polytechnics and universities are placed on equal level in the civil service.

    He said: “The removal of dichotomy between HND and BSC holders in engineering is one of the laudable achievements of this administration. This monster called dichotomy has been threatening the technological development of our great nation for a long time.

    “But with the change mantra of President Buhari administration, the issue of discrimination between the graduates of engineering profession in the civil service, polytechnics and the universities is finally put to rest by the release of the enable circular from the office of the Head of Service of the Federation dated 26th March, 2018.

    “At this stage the entire graduates and students of polytechnics in Nigeria, particularly engineering graduates wish to doff their hat for Mr. President, a man of integrity, a man with listening ears. Indeed we have seen change in his administration and we shall reciprocate this gesture by contributing our quota in the technological development of our country.

    “NATE is in support of the technological development and ready to partner with government’s vision and mission bequeathing entrepreneurial skills to Nigerian youths which is the only means to turn the economy around.

    “Some states have already started its implementation. All state chairmen of the association will be given a circular to take to their states Head of Service for implementation. Three states have already removed the dichotomy. They are Kwara, Kano and Katsina.”

     

  • Customs remove HND dichotomy, promotes 3487 officers

    Customs remove HND dichotomy, promotes 3487 officers

    Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) officers who are holders of Higher National Diploma (HND), on Monday received good news from the Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ali, who raised their salary grade from 07 to level 08.

    The Customs boss, who decorated some of the 3,487 senior officers that were newly promoted in Abuja, told them that their promotion was purely on merit and a call for more work.

    He also announced that the rank structure of the Nigeria Customs Service has been aligned with that of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

    The decisions, according to him, were expected to boost the morale of the officers and eliminate confusion in the seniority of officers.

    His words: “In compliance with circular Ref: HCSF/EIR/CND/100/ST/98 of 8th September, 2016 from Head of Service of the Federation and the approval of Government since April 1992 for the Nigeria Customs Service to align with the Nigeria Police Force rank restructure and in fulfillment of the CGC’s mandate to reorganize and reform the Nigeria Customs Service. The CGC has directed as follows:

    [quote font_size=”18″ color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#dda552″ bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]“i) All HND holders currently on salary grade level 07 are automatically moved to salary grade level 08. Supplementary budget will be made for payment of arrears of salary;

    ii) The rank structure of the service is aligned with the Nigeria Police Force forthwith;

    iii) Officers in the Inspectorate Cadre on Salary Level 08 and above are to align to appropriate rank in the Superintendent Cadre.[/quote]

    “This is expected to boost the morale of officers and eliminate confusion in the seniority of officers.”

    Ali told the officers that the days of basing promotion on sentiments are over, stressing leverage of federal character that they enjoy at the point of entry, what counts soon after that is merit and hard-work.

    He said that the promoted officers which include the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Joseph Attah that is now a Deputy Comptroller, do not owe anyone any gratitude except God and their efforts that earned them the promotion.

    The Comptroller General said: “we had in the past promoted people who did not deserve it and that was what we met in the management. But now merit is key to your promotion.”

    He also announced that the Customs and Command College, will in June commence operation as a full command.

  • To make BSc of HND

    •It goes beyond simple declaration; education stakeholders will do a lot more work to achieve this objective

    Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, has finally confirmed the abolition of the controversial dichotomy between the Higher National Diploma (HND) and university degree of Bachelor of Science (BSc) that has raged for a long time. The National Council on Establishment (NCE) and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) have also given their approval for the abolition of the dichotomy after a careful consideration of a policy that affects millions of Nigerian students.

    Expectedly, mixed reactions have trailed this decision, mostly from academics in the universities.  Some of the reasons, which are quite legitimate, centre on the disparities between admission requirements for the universities and qualifications of teachers (lecturers and professors) as well as curricular in the universities and polytechnics.  The cut-off points for admission into universities and the polytechnics are remarkably different, a condition that shows the different qualities of students admitted to both.  In most cases, it is students whose grades at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations cannot qualify them to get admission into the universities that opt for the polytechnics.

    Apart from entry requirements, there seems to be a wide gulf between the qualifications and quality of teaching staff of both institutions of higher learning.  In some cases, it is the university graduates that are teaching the students in the polytechnics. On the other hand, the minimum qualification for a lecturer in the university is PhD degree from where individual lecturers would move up, through research and publications, to Senior Lecturer, Reader (Associate Professor) to full Professor. There seems to be no corresponding demand in the polytechnic where professors are hard to come by, if they ever exist.  It is the preponderance of professors and high calibre of academic staff in the university system, the compulsory nature of the job of these academics in relation to research and publication, and involvement in post-graduate studies that lead to master’s and doctorate degrees that stand out university (at least in Nigeria) from the polytechnic and related higher institutions of higher learning.

    This often makes it difficult for a staff to cross over from the polytechnic to the university.  And it is well known that the qualities of academic research and publications of university teachers are not the same with those of polytechnic teachers, even to the extent that it is difficult for a senior lecturer in the polytechnic to cross to the university with the hope of retaining his position as senior lecturer, or move from polytechnic to become a professor in the university. It is also important to know that lecturers in the polytechnic often do higher degrees like Master’s and Doctorate degrees in the universities while on their jobs at the polytechnics precisely because it is the universities established for teaching and research that are well equipped, both in manpower and  infrastructure, to combine post-graduate with undergraduate studies.

    We see nothing inherently wrong in the abolition of this dichotomy if only the government would address some of the pertinent issues raised about entry requirements for both, as well as the quality of teachers in the polytechnics which cannot compare favourably with those in the universities where the minimum qualification for teaching is PhD degree and the highest is the professor, which makes the university different from the polytechnics.  The world over, universities are ranked on the basis of quality of staff, research and academic qualifications, contribution to knowledge at the local and global levels, qualities of degrees, infrastructural development and potentials for growth.

    In all these, polytechnics do not seem to be in the reckoning.  Therefore, we need to harmonise all these, because polytechnic education and university education are supposed to focus on slightly different aspects. Unfortunately, the polytechnics, particularly, have not been able to meet the requirements of the practical education that they are supposed to offer due to lack of funds and facilities.

    All said, we have to streamline the curricular, admission requirements, quality of staff, teaching and research in both to reflect the new realty if the abolition is to have any meaning in the long run.

  • Panic as police, students clash in Oyo

    There was panic in Eruwa, headquarters of Ibarapa East Local Government as Police and  students of Eruwa Polytechnic, Eruwa, Oyo state clashed , following their protest against the management of the school, on Tuesday.

    It was learnt that the students were protesting the dismissal of students of Higher National Diploma (HND) Business Administration and hike in fees charged for late registration by the management.

    The source within the campus who confirmed the development said “the students are protesting the introduction of late registration fees and dismissal of HND one students of Business Administration.”

    The protest, it was gathered did not go down with the management which called in members of the state police force in the town.

    This, according to sources led  to alleged gun shot on a student and another, a female student, also alleged to be asthmatic was tear gassed.

    The two students were said to be undergoing treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

    Explaining further, the source said “the affected HND one students of Business Administration were told to go home after being admitted, paid their school fees and had even been receiving lectures. The school now said they cannot admit them again, telling them to go home and come back next session.”

    The source hinted that the school management hinged their excuse on the fact that the affected  students studied Public Administration for their National Diploma (ND) courses.

    It added that the students insisted that the management gave them go ahead to apply for Business Administration for their HND programme which they complied.

    On this premise, according to our source, the students were admitted but were surprised when the management made a U-turn and sent them packing through a notice on the board.

    As if that was not enough, while the students were making appeal against the decision, the source noted that the students requested that the management return all monies, especially school fees paid into the coffers of the management.

    But they were shocked as the  management told them that when they return for their course next session, it will be sorted out.”

    The second reason for their protest centred on payment of late registration fees for both the Daily Part Time (DPP) and full time students.

    It was gathered that the students were appealing to the management on the basis that most of their parents who work as civil servants under the state government are being owed several months of salary.

    The two sections of students affected under this category are DPP students who pay N37,500  and their full time counterparts who are currently paying N28,250 as their school fees were billed additional N2,500 as late registration fees and N300 as bank charges.

    It was also gathered that students were forced to remain indoor till around 5.00pm on Tuesday for fear of arrest while some others were at the time being detained at Sango police station, Eruwa.

    All efforts to reach the management for their reaction on the development proved abortive.

    One of the principal officers who spoke with newsmen  under condition of anonymity confirmed the protest but declined to comment on the reason for the protest .

  • Ending BSc. and HND dichotomy

    The report that President Muhammadu Buhari is set to end the disparity between  holders of university and polytechnic certificates has excited graduates and students of polytechnics, who believe the government needs political will to end the dichotomy. TEMITOPE YAKUBU (Federal Polytechnic in Ado-Ekiti) reports.

    Last week, the media was awash with a statement by the Registrar of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof Dibu Ojerinde, that President Muhammadu Buhari would implement a policy to end the dichotomy between university and polytechnic certificates.

    The news excited many polytechnic graduates and students, who would benefit more from the policy if implemented. But, some of them expressed reservation on the president’s will to enforce the decision to end the discrimination against holders of Higher National Diploma (HND).

    Some say Ojerinde’s promise could be another political statement to make the Buhari administration popular among students, noting that it was not the first time such promise has been made.

    In 2005, polytechnic students were excited when former President Olusegun Obasanjo vowed to end the disparity between HND and Bachelor’s degree to make all graduates have the same job prospects. But, 10 years after, the discrimination is yet to disappear.

    To draw attention to the plight of polytechnic graduates, the Academic Staff of Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), two years ago, downed tools for 11 months, demanding, among others, an end to the disparity between HND and Bachelor’s degree. In response, the Federal Government, on May 6, 2014, inaugurated a 12-man technical committee to review the policy, which hindered career progression of HND holders in the civil service.

    Former Supervising Minister of Education Mr Nyesom Wike, while inaugurating the committee, said there would be a review of HND curriculum to pave the way for its recognition in the promotion of civil servants and to design a programme to enable the polytechnics award Bachelor of Technology degree. The report has been on the shelf.

    But a bill to abolish the dichotomy and discrimination between BSc and HND degrees, sponsored by former Senator Ayo Akinyelure, is yet to be passed. With these impediments, many HND holders believe Buhari may lack the will to end the discrimination.

    ASUP Internal Auditor Mr Joel Fagbohun said the union condemed the idea of setting different cut-off marks for polytechnics and universities in Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). He said: “The UTME cut-off mark for admission into universities is 180 while that of polytechnics is 150. Is that a signal of the government’s readiness to end the dichotomy?”

    Mr Tunji Owoeye, ASUP chairman, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti (ADO POLY), said political will is needed to end the discrimination. He said: “It is obvious the past administrations lacked the political will to implement various committee reports on the dichotomy. Students are disillusioned even before they get into the polytechnics. Nigeria’s technological success depends on investment in the polytechnic education.”

    Aminat Adesanya of YABATECH
    Aminat Adesanya of YABATECH

    Owoeye said polytechnics should be allowed to award degrees up to doctoral level to check the exodus of brilliant polytechnic graduates and teachers to universities.

    Aminat Adesanya, a Computer Science student at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), said it would be in favour of students if President Buhari ends the disparity between the two certificates.

    She said: “In YABATECH, we have good facilities and well-equipped laboratory, which many universities lack. In practice, polytechnic students are the best. If the discrimination is stopped, it would also favour students.”

    Adetoun Ajagunna of Rufus Giwa Poly, Owo
    Adetoun Ajagunna of Rufus Giwa Poly, Owo

    According to Adetoun Ajagunna, a ND 1 Mass Communication student of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic in Owo (RUGIPO) in Ondo State, graduates from polytechnics will do better than their counterparts in universities.

    If the discrimination is ended, Olayemi Gbolagade, a ND II Quantity Surveying student of ADO POLY, said admission pressure in universities would reduce.

    Olayemi Gbolagade of Fed Poly, Ado-Ekiti
    Olayemi Gbolagade of Fed Poly, Ado-Ekiti

    Nurudeen Ogunnusi, a graduate of Statistics from the Federal Polytechnic in Ilaro (FPI) in Ogun State, said: “The rating of HND as subordinate degree is gradually becoming a thing of the past, because of the performance of polytechnic graduates in the industry. Government should review Act setting up polytechnics and build another institution for middle-level manpower.”

    The Senate President of National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), Lukman Salahudeen, said the discrimination must stop to reduce unemployment. He said: “We should hope the government is serious this time around. Some companies will even place vacancy adverts for BSc and B-Tech only. It means no polytechnics graduates should apply. This can compound unemployment crisis facing the nation. I will be glad if HND can be converted to B-Tech to end the discrimination between university and polytechnic degrees.”

     

  • Buhari willing to end Bsc, HND dichotomy – JAMB

    Buhari willing to end Bsc, HND dichotomy – JAMB

    The Registrar/Chief Executive of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, (JAMB), Prof. Dibu Ojerinde Wednesday said President Muhammadu Buhari is willing to implement the waver that will end the Bsc and HND dichotomy.

    Buhari received the updated report on the Bsc and HND saga which was presented by the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Education, MacJohn Nwaobiala last Tuesday.

    Ojerinde who was part of the delegation said Buhari is willing to end the dichotomy.

    He disclosed this in Abuja when he spoke with few selected newsmen on how to solve the lingering crisis of admission into universities.

    The JAMB boss revealed that: “The last administration set up a committee to look at how we can now merge the two, the report was ready but it was not handled by the last administration.”

    His words: “The system has not given adequate vision for the other levels of education. We have not encouraged technical education, we have not encouraged Teachers education also, in fact we have not encouraged Agricultural education to the extent that everybody feels that the only way to survive is to go to the University.

    “The only way to make it is to have a degree, so I am saying we should revisit our system, we should look at why candidates don’t want to go to polytechnics, and we should look at why they don’t want teachers’ education we should also revisit why they don’t want agriculture.

    “By our experience, most people will like to study law, engineering, medicine, accountancy, these are the top courses been sought for in the universities nobody wants to study education. So I see we have problem in that area and I am sure the Federal Ministry of Education is trying to solve that problem.

    “First of all Technical Education, there’s dichotomy between Bachelors degree and National Diploma or Higher National Diploma, (HND). It was one of the things presented to Mr. President to find a way of implementing the waver of the dichotomy between HND and the Bsc degree. The so called HND should now be changed to Btech which means Bachelor of Technology.

    “Former President Musa Yar’Adua may his soul rest in peace, said he doesn’t have any problem with Btech. Unfortunately, government also has not sorted this entire problem.  And there are such cases of people like me in this country, I wouldn’t have been able to read, I wouldn’t have been able to go to school. So what I am saying is, government should look at how we can improve technical education.

    “Let me refer to what Oby Ezekwensili the former Minister of Education said, she was determined to implement Btech in our Technical System, college of Education. All this places should be well equipped for Btech.

    “Four colleges of Education have been upgraded to universities of Education, you will see the rush into those universities now because they can now get bachelor’s degree. And when they come to the public they will not be a push away. So this is where we are, I think if I go by what we saw on Wednesday, President Buhari and the Vice President listened and they were interested in what we presented.”

     

  • Rectors may boycott firms for discrimination against HND holders

    The Committee of Heads (COHEADS) of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology are set to tackle discrimination against polytechnic graduates in  the private sector.

    Rector of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Dr Abdulazeez Lawal, said the Committee had resolved to withdraw businesses from organisations such as banks and insurance companies.

    Reacting to the HND/BSc dichotomy during a press conference ahead of the institution’s 23rd Convocation, Lawal said: “We are looking at how to close the gap. One of the agitation of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) was the dichotomy issue. Government has set up a panel and we are expecting the report.

    “At COHEADS level, we also deliberated on this and noted that the discrimination is not peculiar to public service. Some private institutions also discriminate.

    “We have decided to take a number of steps. Where we see such clear discrimination, like in the banks or insurance sector, we may not patronise them again. We will withdraw our funds.”

    Lawal said though polytechnics have been scrapped in many developed countries they can still function effectively in Nigeria without discrimination.

    “As we are moving in line with theory, the university will conduct research, give us the outcome and then we translate them into innovation. And that is why polytechnics will remain. All we need is for government to remove the discrimination,” he said.

    At today’s convocation, 7,022 full-time and part-time students who have undergone National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes would graduate from the polytechnic.

    The Rector said they would be presented with their certificates same day – a first in the history of the 37-year old institution. The convocation would serve as the last to be convened by the rector, whose four-year tenure ends in June.

    Lawal said the polytechnic expanded in terms of programmes, facilities and improved on welfare and manpower development.  Regarding facilities, the rector said a lot of renovations and constructions have been done on the three campuses of the institution in Ikorodu, Isolo and Surulere.

    He added that with the increment in the number of lecturers sponsored for their PhDs locally and internationally, the academic culture of the polytechnic is set to further improve.

    Activities to mark the convocation included: prayer sessions for the graduands, convocation lecture, and variety show.