The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has announced a significant change in Nigeria’s polytechnic education system. Starting from 2024, polytechnic students will be required to undergo a “Mandatory Skills Qualification” (MSQ) as a condition for graduation. This new policy, unveiled by NBTE Executive Secretary Idris Bugaje, aims to ensure that Nigeria produces diploma holders with practical, real-world skills.
On July 15, 2024, at the NBTE headquarters in Kaduna, Bugaje called the MSQ policy a significant change in polytechnic education. The policy aims to tackle the issue of graduates lacking practical skills needed for jobs. With this new policy, the NBTE hopes to improve the job readiness and practical abilities of polytechnic graduates.
The MSQ is part of a wider effort to enhance technical education in Nigeria. Along with the new graduation requirement, Bugaje also announced changes to the qualifications for polytechnic lecturers. Under the new service scheme, which standardizes recruitment and promotion across all Nigerian polytechnics, principal and chief lecturers will need to have doctorate degrees.
This move to raise academic standards for polytechnic staff aims to match universities and eliminate what Bugaje called “lazy” academics who avoid getting doctorate degrees. The NBTE says master’s degrees are no longer enough for top academic roles in polytechnics because technical education demands have changed.
Also, the new system recognizes Higher National Diploma (HND) holders as Graduate Assistants in polytechnics, just like in universities. This change aims to fix the long-standing issue between HND and university degree holders in Nigeria, which has caused job market discrimination.
The NBTE’s reforms come during ongoing talks about the future of HND programs. Recently, polytechnic leaders met to discuss replacing the HND program with a Bachelor of Technology degree. This is part of a broader effort to modernize technical education in Nigeria and ensure it meets the needs of both students and employers.
These changes highlight the importance of practical skills in higher education. By introducing the MSQ and raising academic standards for lecturers, the NBTE aims to produce graduates who are both academically and practically skilled. This approach follows global trends in education that emphasize combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills.
Educators, students, and employers across Nigeria will closely watch the implementation of these new policies. If successful, the MSQ and related reforms could greatly improve the reputation and value of polytechnic education in Nigeria, leading to better job opportunities for graduates and a more skilled workforce.
As Nigeria deals with high unemployment and a skills gap in various sectors, the NBTE’s initiatives are a proactive step to address these issues. The success of these reforms will depend on effective implementation, enough resources, and support from everyone involved in the education sector.
