By Ejire Folakunmi
Doctor John Alake, Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, has urged newly admitted students of the institution to embrace skills acquisition programmes to enable them to become self-employed after graduation.
Alake said the lack of vocational skills among students is contributing to the rising number of unemployed graduates in the country. The Rector made the call during the 2025/2026 matriculation ceremony of the polytechnic held on Friday in Ado-Ekiti. He noted that many graduates are unable to fend for themselves after completing their studies due to a lack of vocational skills.
Alake stated that the polytechnic is ranked among the best institutions in the country offering skills acquisition programmes and urged students to take full advantage of these opportunities.
“I urge our newly admitted students to embrace the institution’s skills acquisition and vocational programmes. This will help you become employers of labour after graduation,” he said.
The Rector described matriculation as a solemn academic commitment that symbolises formal admission into the intellectual culture of the institution. He advised students to take their academic responsibilities seriously and encouraged them to develop personal reading plans tailored to their chosen careers.
Alake added that the polytechnic provides a wide range of facilities designed to support academic success and personal development. About 7,000 newly admitted students participated in the oath-taking ceremony.