FG seeks to transform polytechnics for job creation, innovation

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, has called for a comprehensive transformation of Nigeria’s polytechnic education system, stressing innovation, good governance and sustainability as key drivers of national development.

Alausa made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at a retreat organised by the Conference of Heads of Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and Similar Institutions (COHEADS) for council chairmen, commissioners of education, rectors, registrars and bursars.

Speaking on the theme, “Transforming Polytechnic Education in Nigeria: Innovation, Good Governance and Sustainability for National Development,” the minister described polytechnics as critical institutions for economic growth.

“Polytechnics are not mere institutions; they are the crucibles where innovation meets practicality, where skills forge economic resilience, and where sustainable development becomes a lived reality for our nation,” he said.

He stated that the Federal Ministry of Education was prioritising the revitalisation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to ensure graduates acquire practical, industry-relevant skills.

“We have adopted policies that ensure our polytechnic graduates are industry-ready, innovative problem-solvers capable of driving national development,” Alausa stated.

The minister urged polytechnic leaders to strengthen entrepreneurship and research initiatives, noting that innovation should be central to their operations.

“Innovation must be the heartbeat of our polytechnics. I urge you to foster entrepreneurship centres, research hubs and industry partnerships that turn ideas into prototypes and inventions into enterprises, producing job creators,” he said.

He identified renewable energy, agricultural technology, digital manufacturing and climate-resilient solutions as priority sectors for polytechnic-driven innovation.

On governance, Alausa called for transparency, accountability and ethical leadership, warning against conflicts of interest and poor resource management.

“The era of impunity in our institutions is over. We demand fiscal discipline, timely audits and zero tolerance for corruption to build public trust and attract investment,” he said.

He also emphasised the need for sustainable funding through internally generated revenue and reduced dependence on imports, while acknowledging challenges such as funding gaps, outdated facilities and societal bias in favour of university education.

According to him, the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, remains committed to supporting polytechnics through policy reforms, infrastructure upgrades and partnerships.

Alausa announced a special intervention by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to upgrade engineering schools in polytechnics with modern equipment, following similar interventions in medical colleges last year.

In his address, COHEADS Chairman, Dr Sani Tunga, described the retreat as timely, given the central role of polytechnics in Nigeria’s development.

“Our polytechnics and colleges of technology are at the forefront of producing skilled, innovative and entrepreneurial manpower needed to drive diversification, reduce unemployment and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals,” Tunga added.

He, however, acknowledged challenges including inadequate funding, outdated infrastructure, changing industry demands, governance gaps and sustainability concerns.

Tunga also highlighted recurring conflicts within the system, particularly between governing councils and management, as well as between management and staff unions such as ASUP, SSANIP and NASU, noting that such tensions could undermine progress.

He disclose that the retreat was designed to promote dialogue, strengthen governance and accountability, improve financial sustainability, and address the root causes of conflicts among stakeholders.

“The transformation we seek is not merely institutional; it is national. A vibrant polytechnic sector will empower our youths, boost local content and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s emergence as a technological and economic powerhouse,” he added.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, called for renewed commitment to strengthening technical and polytechnic education, describing recent reforms as a turning point after decades of neglect.

Bugaje noted that technical education predated university education in Nigeria but suffered marginalisation after independence, especially after the civil war.

“We have only 153 technical colleges compared to over 15,000 senior secondary schools nationwide. It has been a very unfriendly system,” he said.

He stated that the situation had begun to improve in the past two years due to reforms initiated by the current Minister of Education.

“NBTE is being reinvented and re-engineered, and we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel,” Bugaje added.

The retreat brought together key stakeholders in Nigeria’s polytechnic and technical education sector to chart a path towards skills-driven national development amid rising youth unemployment and widening skills gaps.