Ex-NABTEB Registrar Advocates Polytechnic Reform in Nigeria

By DAYO ADESULU

Call for Bachelor and Postgraduate Degrees in Polytechnics

Former Registrar of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), Prof. Olu Aina, has urged the Federal Government to empower polytechnics to award bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees in technology-related fields.

Speaking during the 8th combined convocation of the Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, Aina highlighted the pressing need to abolish the Higher National Diploma (HND) and implement structural reforms to revitalize polytechnic education in Nigeria.

Challenges Facing Polytechnic Education

In his lecture titled “Revitalising Polytechnic Education in Nigeria: From Challenges to Opportunities,” Aina expressed concern over the challenges plaguing the polytechnic system. He attributed much of the stagnation to the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), which he argued has failed to fulfill its regulatory mandate effectively.

“The NBTE today is notably part of the problems of polytechnic education rather than an agent of solutions,” Aina said.

Proposed Reforms for Polytechnic Education

To address the issues, Aina proposed the following reforms:

• Empower Polytechnics to Offer Advanced Degrees:
  Polytechnics should retain their status while being authorized to award Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech), Master of Technology (M.Tech), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in technology-related disciplines.
• Abolishment of HND:
  Only the National Diploma (ND) should continue, with a moratorium of five to six years to allow academic staff to upgrade their qualifications.
• Redesign of ND Programmes:
  The ND programme should span three years, incorporating two six-month apprenticeship periods after the first semesters of the first and second years.
• Creation of a Polytechnic Commission:
  Aina advocated for the establishment of a dedicated commission to oversee polytechnic education, replacing the NBTE’s current regulatory role.

Focus on Technology and Entrepreneurship

Aina emphasized that Nigeria’s development depends on a tertiary education system capable of driving technological advancement and entrepreneurship. He called for a renewed focus on enhancing the nation’s competitiveness in an increasingly globalized world.