The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has urged polytechnics across Nigeria to prioritize equipping students with practical skills over traditional academic qualifications. This call was made by Prof. Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the NBTE, during a retreat held for members of the National Assembly committees on higher education and TETFund in Abuja on Friday.

Prof. Bugaje emphasized that polytechnics must focus on delivering skills that enhance employability rather than continuing to emphasize paper qualifications. “Polytechnics must concentrate on imparting skills that make students job-ready,” Bugaje remarked, stressing the importance of aligning educational efforts with real-world needs.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Muntari Dandutse, supported this perspective, urging Nigerian polytechnics to adopt a skills-first approach. Drawing inspiration from successful models in countries like China, Dandutse highlighted the role of polytechnics in driving industrial growth and innovation. “Skills acquisition is the foundation of innovation, and polytechnics play a central role in this process,” he noted.

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Dandutse also touched on ongoing efforts to strengthen polytechnics through legislative reforms and improved funding. “We are working on laws that will help polytechnics better contribute to industrial and technological progress,” he said. He emphasized that countries like China and various European nations rely heavily on skills acquisition to foster their economic advancements.

With a renewed focus on practical training and innovation, polytechnics are seen as key to Nigeria’s industrial and technological transformation. The push for skills-focused education is part of a broader effort to enhance the capabilities of polytechnics to meet global challenges and contribute to national development.