The assurance by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) that the Federal Government would not allow polytechnics to derail from fulfilling their mandates as skills, research and innovative platforms for Nigerian experts is very significant. This is against the evolution of polytechnics as a main supplier of middle-level, skilled, technical expertise necessary to drive a holistic growth of the Nigerian economy.
While there is no doubt that the institution has succeeded largely in meeting that mandate, it is worrisome that governments have done little to promote and advance the cause of polytechnics over the years. Rather, the country has witnessed controversial debates about the value of polytechnics compared to universities. To crown it all, polytechnics are transitioning to universities both in nomenclature and the award of degrees rather than diplomas.
The NBTE’s Executive Secretary,…
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