The Committee of Federal Polytechnic Rectors (COFER) has renewed calls for the Federal Government to approve the awarding of Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degrees by polytechnics to eliminate the long-standing disparity between Higher National Diplomas (HND) and university-awarded Bachelor’s degrees.
The committee has also advocated for the establishment of a National Polytechnic Commission to replace the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), believing this would enhance the administration of technical and vocational education in Nigeria.
Presenting the committee’s position to the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, during an interactive session in Abuja, COFER Chairman, Professor Aliyu Mamman, emphasized the need for these reforms. He explained that allowing polytechnics to award B.Tech degrees would bridge the gap between technical education and industry demands while boosting the prestige of the institutions. Despite previous government directives to eliminate the HND-B.Sc. dichotomy, many government agencies still discriminate against HND holders in career advancement. Mamman stressed that addressing this issue, along with improving technical education, is crucial for national development.
The meeting, initiated by the Minister as part of broader consultations with stakeholders, aimed to explore solutions for strengthening Nigeria’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector amid growing concerns over the country’s skills gap. Mamman highlighted various concerns requiring urgent attention, including the establishment of a National Polytechnic Commission, approval for polytechnics to award degrees, a review of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) allocation formula, and addressing recruitment challenges that hinder the timely engagement of qualified personnel. He also called for the release of the 2023 Needs Assessment Fund, stressing that adequate funding is essential for infrastructural development, modern equipment procurement, research, and innovation to improve the quality of education in polytechnics.
In response, Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to technical education and skills development as part of its six-point agenda to transform Nigeria’s education system.
He highlighted the Ministry’s focus on revitalizing TVET by adopting an 80/20 practical-to-theory training ratio to ensure students gain hands-on skills aligned with industry demands. He noted that this strategy is designed to equip students with practical expertise in fields such as ICT, carpentry, electrical installations, and advanced manufacturing. According to him, the approach will not only boost enrollment in technical institutions but also ensure that graduates possess market-relevant skills essential for Nigeria’s industrialization and economic growth.
Alausa assured COFER that the government would carefully consider their recommendations and work towards policies that strengthen polytechnic education and technical skill development nationwide.
