The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has called on Nigerian polytechnics to shift their focus towards practical skills and employability rather than over-relying on paper qualifications.

Speaking at a retreat in Abuja for National Assembly committees on higher education and TETFund, NBTE Executive Secretary Prof. Idris Bugaje stressed the importance of aligning polytechnic education with industry needs to boost graduates’ employability.

“Polytechnics must move beyond paper qualifications to deliver skills that empower graduates,” Bugaje stated.

Senate Committee Chair on Tertiary Institutions, Muntari Dandutse, echoed the call, advocating a skills-first approach inspired by nations like China and Europe. He highlighted legislative efforts to enhance polytechnics’ capacity for fostering industrial development under the “renewed hope” agenda.

Dandutse further emphasized revising curriculums and increasing funding to enable polytechnics to drive innovation and regional development across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

This renewed focus aims to position polytechnics as pivotal in transforming Nigeria’s industrial and technological landscape.