The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s polytechnics as critical drivers of innovation, skills development, and sustainable national growth, in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, made this known while declaring open a high-level retreat of the Council of Heads of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology in Nigeria (COHEADS) at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Auditorium, Abuja. The retreat brought together Governing Council Chairmen, Commissioners of Education, Rectors, Registrars, and Bursars to deliberate on the future of polytechnic education in Nigeria.
Dr. Alausa described polytechnics as vital institutions for national productivity, innovation, and economic resilience. He emphasised that the revitalisation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) remains a top priority of the Federal Government, with a renewed focus on producing industry-ready graduates equipped with practical, entrepreneurial, and problem-solving skills.
The Minister urged polytechnics to deepen collaboration with industry, establish functional entrepreneurship centres and research hubs, and prioritise innovation in key sectors such as renewable energy, agricultural technology, digital manufacturing, and climate-resilient solutions. He also stressed the importance of transparency, accountability, ethical leadership, and prudent financial management as pillars for sustainable reform in the sector.
Dr. Alausa further disclosed that amendments to the Polytechnic Act are currently underway to address the long-standing HND-BSc dichotomy and enable polytechnics to award degrees. He also announced a special 2026 TETFund intervention aimed at upgrading engineering and technical facilities across polytechnics nationwide.
He assured stakeholders of the Federal Government’s resolve to restore the relevance, prestige, and global competitiveness of polytechnic education, positioning it as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrialisation and economic transformation drive.
Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press and Public Relations
Federal Ministry of Education
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