Don warns against upgrading polytechnics to degree-awarding institutions
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Rector of the Ogun State Institute of Technology (OGITECH), Igbesa, Dr Abiodun Oluseye, has cautioned against the growing calls to upgrade Nigerian polytechnics into degree-awarding institutions.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the institution’s 6th Combined Convocation ceremony, Dr Oluseye warned that altering the fundamental structure of polytechnic education—designed to produce technically skilled graduates—could negatively impact the nation’s industrial growth and technological advancement.
Dr Oluseye stressed that the global demand for skilled professionals, rather than merely academic qualifications, should guide the future of technical education in Nigeria.
“Polytechnics are designed to instil practical skills in their graduates. The world increasingly values hands-on experience, technical expertise, and problem-solving abilities over traditional academic degrees,” he stated.
Referencing globally renowned institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Dr Oluseye noted that while these institutions retain polytechnic characteristics, they operate at university status without losing their focus on technical education.
He suggested that Nigeria could adopt a similar approach by strengthening polytechnic programmes rather than converting polytechnics into universities.
“That is the direction we should focus on—not transforming polytechnics into universities,” he asserted.
Dr Oluseye further urged policymakers to consider allowing polytechnics to offer advanced qualifications such as master’s and PhD degrees, similar to practices in several developed nations.
He argued that this would expand the scope of polytechnic education and enable institutions to make greater contributions to Nigeria’s technological and industrial growth.
Meanwhile, a total of 9,320 students are set to graduate from OGITECH, including 178 students with distinctions and 2,138 students with Upper Credits.
