Key Points
- NAPS president accuses Education Minister of undermining polytechnic and technical education.
- Association threatens protests and legal action over alleged exploitation of TVET students.
- New leadership seeks equal treatment for HND and B.Sc. holders.
- NAPS wants polytechnics strengthened to award B.Tech degrees.
Main Story
The newly elected National President of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), Jimoh Ibrahim, has given the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, 14 days to resign over what he described as policies weakening technical and vocational education.
Ibrahim made the demand in a statement outlining the priorities of his new administration and warned that polytechnic students would resist further deterioration in the sector.
He accused the minister of taking positions that had negatively affected polytechnic education and said the government should prioritise institutions responsible for developing Nigeria’s technical workforce.
Ibrahim said his administration would focus on student welfare, education reform, institutional development, capacity building and partnerships with relevant stakeholders.
He identified inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, obsolete laboratories and weak links between polytechnics and industry as some of the major challenges confronting the sector.
The NAPS president also raised concerns over the implementation of the Federal Government’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programme, particularly alleged exploitation of participating students by some institutions.
He warned institutions against imposing what he described as inappropriate charges on beneficiaries of the programme, saying NAPS would use protests and legal action where necessary to challenge such practices.
Ibrahim said the association would also intensify its campaign for the removal of disparities between holders of Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) qualifications.
He said the differences in employment opportunities, career progression and postgraduate admissions had continued to disadvantage polytechnic graduates.
According to him, NAPS would engage the National Assembly, government agencies and other policymakers until HND holders receive equal consideration in areas where they currently face restrictions.
On the future of polytechnics, Ibrahim opposed their conversion into conventional universities, arguing that the institutions should instead be developed to award Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degrees.
He said stronger investment in digital facilities, workshops, laboratories and industry partnerships would help polytechnics produce graduates with skills relevant to the labour market.
Ibrahim described technical education as important to Nigeria’s industrial development because polytechnics provide skilled manpower for sectors including manufacturing, construction, agriculture and information and communication technology.
He warned that continued neglect or conversion of polytechnics could weaken the country’s efforts to develop the technical workforce required for economic growth.
The new NAPS leadership also pledged to promote accountability and stronger internal coordination while ensuring that its advocacy reflects the concerns of students across the country.
Ibrahim commended the Department of State Services for supporting the peaceful conduct of the association’s national convention at which the new executives were elected.
The Issues
Nigeria’s polytechnic system faces longstanding concerns over funding, infrastructure, qualification disparities and the relevance of technical training to industry needs. The new NAPS leadership is seeking reforms while opposing the conversion of polytechnics into conventional universities.
What’s Being Said
“Any minister who does not prioritise the technological advancement of the country is not worthy of the appointment.” – Jimoh Ibrahim, NAPS National President
“Education interventions designed to empower students must never become avenues for exploitation.” – Jimoh Ibrahim, NAPS National President
“A country genuinely committed to technological advancement and economic prosperity does not diminish its polytechnics; it strengthens them.” – Jimoh Ibrahim, NAPS National President
What’s Next
NAPS has given the Education Minister 14 days to resign and indicated that it could pursue protests and legal action over issues affecting polytechnic students. The association also plans further engagement with policymakers on HND/B.Sc. parity and the strengthening of polytechnics.
Bottom Line
The new NAPS leadership is positioning the development of polytechnics, equal treatment for HND graduates and protection of TVET beneficiaries as key priorities, while demanding changes from the Federal Government over the direction of technical education.
, Jimoh Ibrahim, has given the ...){kind=link}