A former Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Mujammad Yakubu has called for the reversal of the current enrolment quota into tertiary institutions, which according to him gives advantage to universities over polytechnics in the country.
He stated this while speaking on re-engineering Polytechnic education in Nigeria to achieve a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s Development Agenda during the 2nd Raheem Oloyo’s Annual lecture held at the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro.
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Mr Yakubu said it has been observed that the current enrollment in universities in the country exceeds that in polytechnics, resulting in a skills gap that will limit the country’s technical and economic growth.
He advocated for a policy to ensure increase in number of students admitted into polytechnics and technical colleges, saying this will reduce admission pressure on universities.
He also wants the government to allow Polytechnics in Nigeria to award degrees and to make National diploma the entry qualification for such Degree.
The Rector of the institution who introduced the annual lecture and other stakeholders at the event said the only way forward for Nigeria’s economic and technical development is to support Polytechnic education.
The lecture was held in honour of Raheem Adisa Oloyo, a former Rector of the institution.