POLYTECHNIC NEWS
NBTE faults ASUU for opposing upgrade of polytechnics to degree-awarding status
NBTE faults ASUU for opposing upgrade of polytechnics to degree-awarding status

The Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje has berated the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, for opposing ongoing efforts to upgrade polytechnics to degree-awarding institutions.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, he asserted that polytechnics operate independently and should not be seen as subordinates to universities.
Reacting to the reported resistance from ASUU over the proposal to introduce Bachelor of Technology Honours (B.Tech Hons) degrees in polytechnics, Mr Bugaje dismissed the notion that the move would encroach on university territory.
“I know ASUU belongs to the ivory tower. We are not trying to mimic or copy what they have in the university system.
“Our own degree is different. It is going to be a degree based on three things: character, learning, and skills,” he said.
Mr Bugaje emphasised that polytechnics and universities were parallel systems designed to serve different, but complementary roles in national development.
“Polytechnics are not feeders to the university system. We complement the universities. We run on a parallel path,” he stated.
He called on ASUU to focus on the challenges within the university system and allow the polytechnic sector to reform and evolve to meet Nigeria’s industrial needs.
Highlighting the country’s dependence on foreign skilled labour, Mr Bugaje cited the example of the Dangote Refinery in Lekki, where over 11,000 skilled Indian workers were reportedly brought in for the construction.
He attributed this to Nigeria’s failure to prioritise skill-based education and industrial training.
“We have all the universities, polytechnics, but because we have not focused on skills training, we ended up outsourcing the work, with all the capital flight that comes with it,” he said.
Mr Bugaje also cited the rail infrastructure projects in Nigeria, including the Abuja-Kaduna railway, where he claimed, foreign workers, some reportedly sourced from prisons in their home countries were engaged, due to their technical training.
“This is a wake-up call, Nigeria’s industrialisation shall remain a mirage until we fix the polytechnic sector because that’s where the skills are,” he stressed.
Mr Bugaje appealed for cooperation and mutual respect between the university and polytechnic sectors.
“We are not trying to compete. We support each other. I appeal to all of you, especially ASUU, to please face your sector and leave us alone,” he said.
Discover more from 9jaPolyTv
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
- NEWS1 hour ago
Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic (HUKPOLY) Approved School Fees for 2024/2025 Session
- ARTICLES3 hours ago
Managing Diabetes Naturally for Middle-Aged Men: Simple Steps to Take Control
- NEWS1 hour ago
Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti Academic Calendar for Second Semester 2024/2025 Session
- NEWS3 hours ago
How to Grow a Thicker Beard Naturally: 9 Proven Strategies Every Man Should Know
- ARTICLES3 hours ago
Skincare Routine for Men with Oily Skin: 9 Steps That Actually Work (Without Making It Worse)
- ARTICLES3 hours ago
Best Protein-Rich Foods for Muscle Gain: 13 Power Foods Every Man Should Eat
- ARTICLES3 hours ago
What Men Should Eat to Boost Energy Levels: 11 Powerful Foods That Keep You Going All Day
- ARTICLES3 hours ago
Daily Meal Plan for Men to Lose Belly Fat