National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) intensively opposes the university transformation of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) after Dr. Tunji Alausa announced that President Bola Tinubu endorsed the change.
National Association of Polytechnic Students President Eshiofune Oghayan declared through a statement that the conversion of polytechnics into universities would negatively affect the fundamental purposes of Nigerian polytechnic education.
Oghayan stressed how polytechnics fulfil a special mission to merge abstract educational content with industrial hands-on skills. The proposed transformation of polytechnics into universities makes him fear that theoretical learning will become dominant thus weakening essential hands-on training and problem-solving competencies needed for Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic development.
The administration of YABATECH opposes the transformation into a university according to Oghayan. The polytechnic institution YABATECH maintains an essential function by connecting academic theories to practical industrial usage.
Their educational approach focuses on practical learning combined with problem-solving activities together with innovation which Nigeria requires for its industrial growth and economic expansion.
According to Oghayan, we should look at the examples of Germany China Canada and the United Kingdom because these nations utilize strong technical and vocational education systems to power their industrial industries. The author advocated for Nigeria to enhance its polytechnic institutions before converting their existing polytechnics into universities.
NAPS supports the complete execution of the pathway from Higher National Diplomas to Bachelor of Technology degrees instead of university conversions. Under this method, polytechnic graduates would earn degrees which hold international validity and boost their marketability abroad but maintain their essential practical education components.
The reorganization strategy of NAPS calls for transforming the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) into a Polytechnic Education Commission. This proposed change aims to enhance polytechnic education in national planning through higher authority status and secure adequate funding in addition to defining career development trajectories for polytechnic graduates.
NAPS demands that the Federal Government establish a collective reform initiative alongside NAPS and NBTE along with other essential stakeholders to advance polytechnic education toward economic development leadership. The association stands ready to join forces with NAPS to develop workforce empowerment initiatives that promote national industrial development while securing Nigeria’s prosperous future.
NAPS made a direct request to President Tinubu to reassess the conversion of YABATECH into a university institution. The association makes a heartfelt request to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review the decision about transforming YABATECH into a university.
The organization recommended that Nigeria should enhance technical education through modernization and revamping instead of converting polytechnics into universities. This approach would lead to developing the next generation of innovators and skilled professionals and industrial leaders,” the association stated.
Such policy shifts have initiated a nationwide discussion about Nigeria’s technical education framework as different interest groups analyze their effects.
