By Auwal Ahmed Ibrahim, Goronyo
In a communique, the Chairmen of Governing Councils (CGC) of Polytechnics held in Calabar, Cross River state on the 9th to 14th February, 2025 emphasized for the needs of conversion of National Board for Technical Education, NBTE to a commission that can cater for the progressive needs of Nigerian polytechnics.
Accordingly to Dr. Y. M. Bande, the Secretary of the Chairmen of Federal Polytechnics said, “the Committee observes some key issues that will enhance technical education and skills development for the future growth of the country. The skills development is the future of the world and the Nigerian youths cannot be left behind.”
The Chairmen of the Federal Polytechnics made the following recommendations:
- ESTABLISHMENT OF A POLYTECHNICS COMMISSION
The communique explained that the present National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) supervises 787 institutions including Polytechnics (Federal, State and Private), Monotechnic, Vocational and Entrepreneurial Institutions (VEIs), Innovative Entrepreneurial Institutions (IEIs), and Technical Colleges across the country. Other Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria have Commissions except the Polytechnics. The need for the establishment of the commission cannot be over emphasized, being skill-based education.
- HND /BSc DICHOTOMY
Upgrade the HND to B.Tech (Hons) with entry requirements of O’ level, National Diploma (ND) and Industrial Training certificate (IT).
- THE OUTSOURCED STAFF (CLEANING AND SECURITY SERVICE)
the outsourced staff in the polytechnics should be taken over by federal government as applicable in other tertiary institutions.
- POWER SUPPLY FOR THE POLYTECHNICS
Direct Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to power the polytechnics by solar electrification.
- SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FUND
Creation of Skill Development Fund targeted at empowering skills training.
- SECURING THE POLYTECHNICS
Secure the Polytechnics by fencing to stop encroachment on Polytechnics’ land and ensure the security of lives and properties.
- ESTABLISMENT OF NEW POLYTECHNICS
Adequate feasibility studies and planning should be carried out before the establishment and location of new Polytechnics to forestall loss of Government resources.
- CURRICULAR REVIEW
We emphasize the need for special funding to upgrade and review outdated curricular for the Polytechnic education, ensuring relevance and alinghment to current technological realities.
- TETFUND INTERVENTION 2025
Government restriction to Polytechnics with less than 1000 students for 2025 TETFund interventions will deter the progress of the new Polytechnics. - SPECIAL 100 BILLION NAIRA AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY INTERVENTION
Polytechnic with Agric technology and related courses with sufficient farmland for Agricultural production to qualify for participation.
The Committee conveys its appreciation to the Government and People of Cross River State, the Host Polytechnic, Ugep, for the very warm reception and hospitality accorded it during the retreat.
Meanwhile, the Chairmen appreciated the opportunity given to them by the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmad Tinibu and Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education to oversee the Federal Polytechnics of Nigeria.
This is apt. Both state and federal governments have neglected the polytechnic sector. The proposed National Polytechnics Commission is long overdue. Therefore, I urge the House of Assembly to expedite the passage of the commission with utmost urgency.
The National Board for Technical Education should be upgraded to National Commission for Technical Education. It’s a good move.
Our government over the years refused to do the needful. I will not be surprised if they fail deaf ears to these wonderful ideas.
Equality as always preached is not obtainable in practice if not why does the dichotomy take this long?
Everything is not politics. How can someone spend 5 good years in a course and another spend 4 years, then during recruitment, one of 5 years will be underpaid? The policy that creates such is all about building the thesis and destroying the thesis with anti-theses.
Why can’t the agency of the government have human face ?
The outcome is mostly be a disappointments if not let them prove me wrong.
Thanks
You’ve said it all. God bless you 🙏
What is the faith of previously awarded HND and it’s relevant??
Top up
Those who are interested to have a B.tech and meet the requirements for admission but obtained a HND can run a year top-up conversion programme to get a B.tech from the same school they graduated from if they have Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and English Language while those without Science knowledge like Business Administration, Accounting, Marketing, Mass Communication, etc can do a 2 year top-up conversion programme from another university that is not a technical institution such as University of Nigeria, Ibadan, Calabar, Lagos etc.
NBTE will still handle technical colleges while The Polytechnic Commission or The National Commission for Polytechnic Education as the case may be will handle Polytechnics and Monotechnics.
At least the dichotomy should be stopped before it kills technical education in this country.
NBTE can continue with her responsibilities with technical colleges and others while the new commission handles the Polytechnic and Mono technic matters. NBTE has always be part of the Polytechnic Education problems. Let there be a New dawn in the Polytechnic Education Sector.
Converting the NBTE to the proposed Polytechnic Commission is like puting a new wine in an old skin. NBTE should continue to regulate technical institutions, while a new commission should be established for the Polytechnics. Let there be a breath of fresh air. Besides that, the commission should be in Abuja and not Kaduna.
I will like to be involved in these council.I think I can contribute positively.
Prof EDD
The problem of Africa is not structural but lack of commitment and transparency. There is nothing wrong with the present arrangement if there’s commitment and transparency. On the contrary, some proprietors of polytechnics are only after financial gains. There is need to move away from this tradition. And we should be able to integrate indigenous technology with foreign ones.
Dichotomy Problems in Nigeria’s Tertiary Institutions: A Growing Concern.
The issue of dichotomy in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions has persisted for decades, creating a deep divide between university and polytechnic graduates. This institutional discrimination affects employment opportunities, career progression, and even societal perceptions. Despite numerous calls for reform, no government has taken a decisive step to address this long-standing imbalance.
The Nature of the Dichotomy.
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The university-polytechnic dichotomy manifests in several ways, including:
Employment Discrimination: Many employers in both the public and private sectors prioritize university graduates over their polytechnic counterparts, regardless of competence or field of study.
Career Progression Barriers: Polytechnic graduates often face difficulties in reaching top positions in civil service and corporate organizations due to restrictive policies.
Perception of Inferiority: Society generally views polytechnic education as inferior, despite its strong emphasis on practical skills and technical expertise.
Limited Academic Progression: Polytechnic graduates struggle with barriers in furthering their education. Some universities do not accept Higher National Diploma (HND) holders directly into master’s programs, forcing them to go through additional academic hurdles.
The Need for a National Technical Commission (NTC).
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To bridge this gap, the establishment of a National Technical Commission (NTC) has become imperative. This body would:
Upgrade the curriculum of polytechnics to align with modern technological advancements.
Ensure equal recognition of polytechnic and university certificates in employment and career advancement.
Oversee staffing policies to ensure parity in salaries, promotions, and professional recognition.
Drive national policies that support skill-based education in line with global best practices.
The Urgency of Reform in the Digital Age.
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Nigeria is in the digital and technological era. The world is rapidly evolving, with a strong focus on technical skills, innovation, and digital expertise. Countries that have recognized and promoted technical education, such as Germany, China, and South Korea, have advanced significantly in industrialization. If Nigeria continues to lag behind due to outdated educational hierarchies, the nation risks missing out on the opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The Way Forward.
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To end this discrimination, the government must:
Harmonize university and polytechnic education under a unified structure that values skills and knowledge over paper qualifications.
Upgrade polytechnics to degree-awarding institutions, eliminating the HND/BSc divide.
Implement a standardized career progression system where promotions and employment opportunities are based on competence, not institutional background.
Encourage a mindset shift through public awareness campaigns, emphasizing the importance of technical and vocational education in nation-building.
The university-polytechnic dichotomy is a major setback for Nigeria’s development. Without bold policy decisions to end this discrimination, the country will continue to undervalue its technical workforce, stalling progress in key sectors. The time for reform is now—Nigeria must recognize and harness the potential of all its graduates, irrespective of their educational background.
Okon, Emmanuel Imom , Voluntary Staff: Federal Polytechnic Ugep, Cross River State.
God bless you sir
B-Tech is better
We pray it works because some of us are already discourage with polytechnic education because of this dichotomy . I have finished my ND but now am between going to the POLYTECHNIC to further Hnd or going for 200 level in the University am just confused.