Private Polytechnics urge FG to prioritise Technical Education
Proprietors of private polytechnics, under the banner of the Association of Private Polytechnics in Nigeria (APPN), have called on the Federal Government to place greater emphasis on technical education in the country.
The President of the APPN, Benjamin Achiatar, made this call during an interview with journalists in Abuja on Monday.
He stressed, “The government should pay more attention to and support private sector education because technical education plays a crucial role in contributing to nation-building through the development of skilled manpower, which in turn enhances productivity.”
“A skilled technical workforce attracts investment and bolsters industries that are key to driving economic development,” Achiatar continued. “Not only does it promote industrialisation, but a nation’s technical capabilities also improve its position in the global market.”
Achiatar further argued that technical education fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills, both of which are essential for innovation and economic progress.
He also pointed out that the government had previously pledged to support the growth of the private sector, adding that private polytechnics represented a vital component of private-sector education in Nigeria.
“Private polytechnics contribute to the economy and pay taxes, and in return, we are seeking government support to address infrastructure deficits, including power – whether solar, generators, or transformers – as well as water supply through boreholes,” he said.
Achiatar also advocated for the inclusion of private institutions in the National Research Fund, stressing that funding and support should not be limited to government institutions alone.
“We believe that government institutions and functionaries should be more accessible for dialogue, fostering meaningful discussions aimed at producing the skilled technical workforce needed to drive Nigeria’s industrialisation,” he added.
He drew attention to the example set by other countries, such as China, which are converting universities into polytechnics to better support their industries. “If we don’t prioritise education in technology, we risk continuing to import products from other nations, enriching their economies while ours stagnates,” Achiatar warned.
In addition, the General Secretary of the APPN, Olusola Alalade, also spoke on the issue, suggesting that polytechnics should be allowed to offer degree courses and award Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) honours degrees.
“Allowing polytechnics to grant B.Tech degrees would provide a dual benefit: creating a workforce for industries at the middle level while also enabling a select few to engage in advanced academic pursuits such as research,” Alalade explained.
Alalade, who is the proprietor of Igbaja Polytechnic, further called for research grants from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to be extended to private polytechnics, just as they are to public universities.
He also urged the Federal Government to expand the Nigeria Education Loan Fund to cover students in private institutions, ensuring that all students, regardless of the type of institution they attend, have equal access to funding.
“The fund should support students in both public and private institutions, as all are part of the same educational system and should have equal opportunities,” he concluded.