Polytechnic education is future of Nigeria—NBTE Chair

The  Board Chairman of National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, Professor Modupe Adelabu has described polytechnic education as the future of Nigeria, saying t vocational and technical education are answers to sustainable development of the country. 

Adelabu made this disclosure at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic stakeholders meeting  Abeokuta which had Ogun State government officials led by the Special Adviser to the governor on Tertiary Education,  Professor  Mrs Sidi Osho,  members of the Polytechnic  management team,  academic and non-academic staff union executives as well as representatives of students’ union in attendance. 

According to the NBTE boss who was on oversight visit to MAPOLY,  Nigeria is destined for greatness in line with the ideals of her founding fathers. So, the country must tap into the manpower and technical resources offered by polytechnic institutions across the country. 

While commending the management and staff of MAPOLY for the smooth and steady running of academic activities despite the turbulent times it had gone through, the NBTE boss urged the institution to continue to deliver in line with its mandates.

Adelabu who was visibly impressed by the number of doctorate degree holders in the polytechnic, put at over seventy, further enjoined the staffers to make their professional and personal developments a priority. She added that it is important  to attend peer reviewed and international conferences and write qualitative academic papers, to improve their productivity. 

She disclosed that federal government is ready to finance vocational and technical education as it has secured support of World Bank to boost same. 

Also speaking during the parley, Special Adviser on Tertiary Education, Osho, restated the commitment of the state government to support MAPOLY and ensure it takes back its original position as a leading light in technical education in the country. 

The Rector, Dr. Samson Odedina, in his welcome address, said though the institution was faced with some challenges in the past two years, it’s accreditation was never withdrawn and the location was not changed from Abeokuta. 

While appreciating the government for the support it has offered the institution, Odedina called for cooperation of NBTE in considering the proposal of MAPOLY for accreditation of new courses including ones  due for re-accreditation.