The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has opposed the conversion of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) into a university, calling instead for a transition from awarding Higher National Diplomas (HND) to Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degrees and a shift from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to a dedicated Polytechnic Education Commission.
In a statement signed by NAPS President, Eshiofune Paul Oghayan, the association, which represents over 28.1 million Nigerian polytechnic students, expressed strong reservations about the proposed conversion. While acknowledging the government’s intent to improve higher education, NAPS argued that turning YABATECH into a university would be counterproductive and undermine the core objectives of polytechnic education.
The association emphasized that polytechnics are designed to provide technical, practical, and skills-based training that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and industrial application. Unlike universities, which focus primarily on academics and research, polytechnics emphasize hands-on experience, problem-solving, and innovation, all of which are essential for Nigeria’s industrialization and economic diversification.
NAPS highlighted YABATECH’s historical significance as Nigeria’s first tertiary institution and its crucial role in shaping the country’s technical education landscape. Over the years, the institution has produced highly skilled professionals who have contributed significantly to industries such as engineering, technology, construction, and entrepreneurship. The association warned that converting the institution into a university would shift its focus from practical, industry-based training to theory-driven learning, ultimately weakening its unique role in technical education.
Oghayan further argued that the move contradicts global best practices, as leading industrialized nations continue to strengthen and expand polytechnic education rather than phase it out.
He pointed to countries such as Germany, China, Canada, and the United Kingdom, where strong technical and vocational education sectors drive industrial economies. Instead of eliminating polytechnics in Nigeria, NAPS urged the government to reform and strengthen them to meet 21st-century technological demands.
