The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has urged polytechnics across Nigeria to prioritize practical skills development over an excessive reliance on academic certifications. This shift, the NBTE believes, is essential to enhance employability and drive industrial growth.

Speaking during a one-day retreat in Abuja, the NBTE’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje, emphasized the urgent need for polytechnics to align their curricula with real-world demands. The retreat, organized for members of the National Assembly committees on higher education and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), sought to foster collaboration between legislators and technical education stakeholders.

“Education may be on the concurrent list, but we must unite in purpose. Polytechnics need to focus on equipping students with practical, employable skills rather than prioritizing paper qualifications,” Bugaje stated.

Legislative Backing for Skills-Driven Education

Senator Muntari Dandutse, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, echoed this call for reform, urging polytechnics to adopt a “skills-first” approach. He cited countries like China as examples of how technical education can propel industrial and economic development.

“The House Committee Chairman and I convened this retreat to join forces with polytechnic leaders and ensure that, under the renewed hope agenda, we foster industrial development through technical education,” Dandutse said.

Global Lessons and Innovation

Dandutse pointed out that skills acquisition forms the backbone of innovation in many advanced economies. “Developed nations, particularly China and much of Europe, rely on skills to drive invention and industrial progress. It is imperative that Nigerian polytechnics follow suit by revising their curriculum and improving funding to meet global standards.”

He also praised President Bola Tinubu’s initiative to establish regional development commissions, describing it as a strategic move to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

A Renewed Focus on Polytechnics

The retreat emphasized the need for robust legislative frameworks to empower polytechnics and ensure they play a pivotal role in the nation’s industrial transformation.

“Skills acquisition and innovation begin with polytechnics. Revising the curriculum, improving funding, and enacting supportive laws are critical steps toward achieving what others have not,” Dandutse concluded.

As Nigeria looks to the future, the NBTE’s call for a skills-focused education system underscores the importance of aligning technical training with the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy.