Era of producing unemployable Polytechnic graduates over, says FG to Rectors

The Federal Government has urged the country’s tertiary institutions to tailor their academic programmes to meet local economic, social, and environmental needs while tackling the challenges of unemployment and climate change confronting Nigeria.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, who stated this during an interactive session with Rectors of federal polytechnics and Provosts of Federal Colleges of Education, enjoined the institutions to ensure that graduates possess market-relevant skills critical to Nigeria’s industrialisation and sustainable development.

Alausa disclosed that one of the things the government is doing to strengthen technical education is establishing a National Commission for Technical Education.

The minister called on the institutions to embrace the Federal Government’s agenda to transform the country’s education system by delivering high-quality learning and training across Nigeria.

He noted that the current administration is focused on revitalising Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) while adopting the Pareto rule of 80/20 ratio, favouring practical over theoretical training.

He said: “This new curriculum is designed to equip students with the hands-on skills required to thrive in today’s dynamic workforce. By aligning academic programmes with industry demands, TVET prepares students for careers in high-impact sectors such as information and communication technology, carpentry, electrical installations, and advanced manufacturing.

“This innovative approach is designed not only to tackle low enrolment in our technical institutions but also to ensure that graduates possess market-relevant skills critical to Nigeria’s industrialisation and sustainable development,” the minister stated.

Alausa said the ministry has forged strategic partnerships with private sector players, including the Bank of Industry (BOI) and Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to achieve this.

“These partnerships provide funding, resources, and internship opportunities to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and employability.

Besides, he emphasised that the present administration is committed to enhancing education quality assurance, focusing on teacher development and professionalism.

Noting that teachers are the cornerstone of any effective education system, Alausa said the present government’s goal is to address teacher preparation gaps.

“Colleges of Education are expected to lead the charge by implementing rigorous pre-service training and continuous professional development programmes that prepare teachers to excel in an evolving educational landscape.”

Besides, he said polytechnics must prioritise the development of technical instructors equipped with modern pedagogical skills and aligned with global standards.

“These efforts are crucial to building an education system that surpasses accreditation benchmarks and produces graduates who make significant contributions to national progress,” the minister stated.

Alausa also appealed to the institutions to integrate agricultural education and food security concepts into technical and vocational training programmes, emphasising sustainable practices, modern technologies, and agribusiness.

He said: “For those institutions with schools of Agriculture, you should establish farms and agri-tech centres where students can learn modern farming techniques, food processing, and storage innovations.”

On her part, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed, said the meeting demonstrated the ministry’s commitment to advancing tertiary education. It has provided a platform for open dialogue and enhanced collaboration to move the sub-sector forward.