Calabar, Nigeria — Chairpersons of Nigeria’s Federal Polytechnics have called for urgent reforms in funding, curriculum, supervision, infrastructure, and security in the country’s polytechnic education sector. The recommendations emerged from a four-day retreat held in Calabar from February 9-14, convened at the instance of the new Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and sponsored by TETFund.
The retreat served as a platform for brainstorming, idea exchange, and social networking among the polytechnic leaders. Their deliberations culminated in a comprehensive communique outlining key concerns and proposed solutions.
Funding Challenges and Recommendations
The communique emphasized that inadequate and irregular funding remains a critical factor in the declining standards of Nigeria’s federal polytechnics. The Chairpersons highlighted that less than half of the approved capital budget for polytechnics is typically disbursed, hindering the completion of infrastructure projects and delaying staff salaries and overhead expenses.
The Council Chairs urged the government to provide dedicated funds for skills development to support the polytechnics’ mission of equipping students with practical competencies and entrepreneurial abilities. They argued that achieving this goal is impossible without sustained financial investment.
Additionally, they proposed that federal polytechnics be allowed to retain and utilize their collected tuition fees as part of their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). They described the current policy — which requires institutions to remit up to half of their collected fees to the federal government — as placing an undue financial burden on already underfunded institutions.
Acknowledgment of TETFund’s Role
While calling for improved funding, the Chairpersons commended TETFund for its ongoing contributions to federal institutions. TETFund’s support has enabled special projects, staff training, and conference attendance, alongside providing seed funds for newly established polytechnics. However, they stressed that TETFund’s interventions should complement — not replace — the federal government’s core responsibility of adequately funding public education.
Curriculum Reform to Align with Industry Needs
The communique highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive review of polytechnic curricula to align with technological advancements and better prepare graduates for Nigeria’s evolving job market.
A key driver of this proposed reform is pending legislation in the National Assembly aimed at elevating the Higher National Diploma (HND) to the status of a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech). The Chairpersons noted that ensuring HND programs meet the academic rigor and knowledge depth of a university degree is crucial for the proposed elevation to be credible and beneficial.
Broader Implications
The retreat’s recommendations reflect growing concerns about Nigeria’s polytechnic system, particularly its capacity to deliver skilled graduates who can address the country’s technical and vocational needs. The Chairpersons stressed that without improved funding and curriculum updates, polytechnics may struggle to fulfill their vital role in national development.
As Nigeria’s educational landscape continues to evolve, stakeholders are hopeful that the recommendations from the Calabar retreat will drive meaningful reforms in polytechnic education.