The Federal Government has unveiled the Polytechnic Foundation, a major national initiative designed to radically transform the country’s technical and vocational education system (TVET). The foundation’s primary goal is to position polytechnics as robust drivers of innovation, creativity, and applied research, thereby strengthening Nigeria’s push for a modern economy.
Announcing the launch in Abuja, the Minister of State for Education described the foundation as a movement to ensure polytechnics can effectively power growth in crucial sectors, including:
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Manufacturing
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Engineering
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Digital Technology
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Renewable Energy
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Agriculture
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Transportation
The Minister stressed that increasing investments in STTEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) and applied research is essential for Nigeria to remain globally competitive and supply the highly skilled workforce demanded by a modern economy.
The Foundation’s Strategic Mandate
The Polytechnic Foundation is established to address critical gaps in the technical education system. Its activities will focus on:
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Infrastructure & Funding: Improving facilities and funding research and prototypes with commercial viability.
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Industry Linkages: Expanding industry-oriented training and fostering stronger collaboration with the private sector.
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Capacity Building: Funding training and capacity enhancement for lecturers.
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Entrepreneurship: Promoting entrepreneurship and helping graduates successfully launch their own businesses.
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Inclusivity: Boosting female participation in technical fields.
Revitalizing Technical Education
Officials from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment commended the initiative for its alignment with government goals, while the Executive Secretary of the NBTE emphasized the urgency of the reform. He warned that industrialization would remain slow unless polytechnics receive better funding and modern equipment.
The idea for the non-governmental foundation originated in 2021 when a U.S. institution was unable to donate modern training equipment directly to a Nigerian government agency, highlighting the immediate need for a flexible platform to attract equipment and support for the polytechnic system.
