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The Nigerian government has converted about 24 polytechnics and colleges of education into universities, sparking concerns among stakeholders about the future of technical education. Some of the affected institutions include Abia State Polytechnic, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, and Yaba College of Technology.
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Experts warn that this conversion trend may undermine the nation’s development by weakening skill-based training and widening the gap between academic qualifications and real-world employability. According to Isaac Agenyi, CEO of Moto Business Services Nigeria, “Polytechnics are designed to provide practical training in technical and vocational fields… The conversion tends to shift focus toward theoretical and research-based education, which often doesn’t emphasise technical skills.”
Agenyi emphasised that this shift could lead to a shortage of skilled technicians, further flooding the labour market with degree holders who may be unprepared for self-employment or entrepreneurship. Kelvin Bob-Manuel, a marketing communications strategist, shares similar concerns, stating that “by turning polytechnics into universities, we risk widening the skills gap, producing more paper-qualified graduates but fewer technicians and artisans, among others.
Consequences
The conversion may also:
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– Devalue Technical Education: By sending a signal that polytechnic education is inferior, the conversion may discourage students from pursuing vocational careers essential for national productivity.
– Undermine Economic Development: Nigeria’s economic growth may be hindered by the loss of practical training and technical skills, which are critical to industrialisation and infrastructure development.
Instead of converting polytechnics to universities, experts recommend ¹ ²:
– Reforming and Strengthening Polytechnics: Aligning polytechnics with 21st-century industry needs and providing equal recognition and career opportunities for HND holders.
– Fostering Industry Collaboration: Encouraging partnerships between polytechnics and industries for internships and innovation development.
– Establishing Clear Pathways: Allowing technical graduates to further their education without needing a university degree.
While some experts raise concerns about the conversion trend, others, like Ashley Abiodun-Dejo, a former lecturer at Yaba College of Technology, believe it may not be detrimental, as converted institutions can still award BTech and HND certifications
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