The Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Dr Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul, has called for adequate support for technical and technological education championed by polytechnics in Nigeria to boost research and infrastructure development.
He dropped this hint while addressing the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education while on an oversight function to the college.
The rector commended the government for setting up a separate committee to examine the country’s polytechnics and higher technical education. He believes this committee will focus on technological development in the polytechnic system.
“Because at the heart of technological development in every country, we have this critical sector,” the rector stressed. Ibraheem revealed that despite the sector’s critical status, “it is being underrated, marginalised, and treated with disdain.”
The rector said that HND holders’ challenges reflect what is happening to this country’s polytechnics and higher technical education. He dwelt on the issues of funding, dichotomy, and the need to award a Bachelor of Technology, which threaten the development of polytechnic education.
Ibraheem prayed to the Committee to help the polytechnics proffer lasting solutions to all the challenges facing polytechnics in the country’s educational system sector.
In his keynote address, the chairman of the Committee, Hon Wahab Kayode Laguda, said it would be a joy to all polytechnics that they now have a stand-alone committee in the House of Representatives.
