YABATECH Governing Council Chairman Calls for Stronger Collaboration to Reposition Technical Education in Nigeria
By DAYO ADESULU
LAGOS, Nigeria — The Chairman of the Governing Council of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Prof. Funso Isolaowa Afolabi, has called on leaders of Nigeria’s polytechnics and colleges of technology to strengthen collaboration, embrace innovation, and promote good governance to reposition technical and vocational education for national development.
Prof. Afolabi made the call while delivering his address at the 162nd Regular Meeting of the Council of Heads of Colleges of Technology and Allied Institutions (COHEADS) hosted by Yaba College of Technology in Lagos.
Welcoming participants from institutions across the country, the Governing Council Chairman described the gathering as a strategic platform for policy dialogue, knowledge sharing, collaboration, and the exchange of innovative ideas aimed at advancing technical education in Nigeria.
He observed that the nation’s tertiary technical education sector is facing several challenges, including inadequate funding, rapid technological changes, quality assurance concerns, graduate employability, and the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
According to him, these challenges require collective action and stronger institutional partnerships rather than isolated efforts.
“We must continue to strengthen collaboration, promote excellence in governance, embrace innovation and ensure that our graduates possess the knowledge, skills, values and entrepreneurial competencies required to thrive in today’s dynamic global economy,” Prof. Afolabi said.
The Council Chairman noted that although many Nigerian institutions actively pursue international partnerships, equal attention should be given to strengthening collaboration among local institutions to promote research, innovation, technology transfer, and sustainable national development.
He reaffirmed YABATECH’s commitment to academic excellence, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, inclusive partnerships, and character development, adding that the institution would continue supporting initiatives that improve the quality and global competitiveness of technical and professional education in Nigeria.
In his welcome address, the Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Engr. Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul, described hosting the COHEAD meeting as a privilege for Nigeria’s foremost institution of technical and technological education.
He said that since its establishment in 1947, YABATECH has remained committed to producing skilled, innovative, and industry-ready graduates capable of driving Nigeria’s technological and economic development.
Dr. Abdul urged institutions to stop viewing one another as competitors and instead strengthen local partnerships through joint research, conferences, innovation exhibitions, and the sharing of best practices to address national challenges.
The Chairman of COHEAD also commended YABATECH for hosting the meeting and stressed that issues such as funding, infrastructure, quality assurance, staff development, digital transformation, research, innovation, and stronger industry collaboration require coordinated action by stakeholders.
He urged delegates to use the meeting to develop practical strategies and policy recommendations that would enhance the relevance, attractiveness, and sustainability of technical and vocational education in Nigeria while promoting industrialisation and economic diversification.
Why This Matters
Experts believe stronger collaboration among Nigeria’s polytechnics and colleges of technology could improve research, innovation, graduate employability, and the country’s ability to produce the skilled workforce needed to drive industrialisation, economic diversification, and sustainable national development.
