Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the quality of education and fostering excellence within Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, especially polytechnics and monotechnics nationwide.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, expressed this commitment at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja during a public hearing on a bill proposing the establishment of a National Polytechnic Commission, which is designed to supervise, regulate, and coordinate polytechnic education across Nigeria.
According to a statement issued by Rep. Akin Rotimi, Spokesman of House of Representatives at the weekend, the hearing, organised by the House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, also sought stakeholder input on two other bills.
The two other bills are namely; the Federal Vocational and Entrepreneurship Institute, Isolo, Lagos State and the Federal Vocational and Skills Acquisition College in Yankaba, Kano State establishment bills respectively.
These initiatives are part of a broader effort to advance vocational and polytechnic education in the country.
House Speaker Abbas, represented by Rep. Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi (LP, Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency II, Lagos), opened the hearing by highlighting the growing recognition of Technical and Vocational Education as crucial to national development.
The Speaker emphasised that by establishing these institutions, the House aims to ensure that high-quality education in science, technical skills, arts, and vocational training is accessible to all Nigerians.
“Today’s hearing perfectly aligns with our legislative agenda to improve Nigeria’s educational framework. In a rapidly evolving global landscape, it is crucial that we equip our youth with skills and knowledge that are both globally competitive and locally relevant.
“The proposed agency and institutions will stand as pillars of excellence, delivering high-quality education that adheres to international standards while addressing the specific needs of our communities,” he said.
The Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Fuad Kayode Laguda (APC, Surulere, Federal Constituency, Lagos), explained that the public hearing is a procedural step toward the passage of the bills into law.
Laguda noted that each bill is designed to improve Nigeria’s socio-economic development and promote sustainable human capital development necessary for building a self-reliant society.
“As you are aware, the establishment of vocational, entrepreneurship, and skills acquisition institutions in Nigeria aims to train technicians and middle-level personnel who will act as catalysts for rapid industrialisation and the development of our real sector,” the chairman said.
Other stakeholders at the hearing unanimously supported the need for a regulatory body for polytechnics, lamenting the inability of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to oversee over 700 institutions effectively.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Sen. Muntari Dandutse (APC, Katsina South), stressed the importance of developing educational programmes that benefit future generations and assured that the Senate would expedite passing of the relevant bills.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, praised the House for the timely introduction of the proposed legislation, expressing full support for the initiative as a means to align Nigerian polytechnics with international standards.
Prof. Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the NBTE, described the proposed National Polytechnic Commission as a long-overdue necessity.
Bugaje noted that other education sectors already have specialised regulatory bodies and expressed optimism that the new commission would provide a robust regulatory framework and curriculum to enhance skills and productivity.
In separate submissions, major polytechnic unions also supported the establishment of the commission.
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), represented by Comrade Shammah Kpanja, welcomed the move as a step towards promoting quality education, relevant skills, research, and innovation.
Kpanja emphasised the need for government commitment and collaboration with stakeholders to achieve Nigeria’s educational and economic goals.
Prof. Aliyu Mamman, Chairman of the Conference of Federal Polytechnics in Nigeria, attributed the sector’s challenges to the absence of a commission.
Mamman called for the withdrawal of a recently released scheme of service by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, which he argued has exacerbated existing problems.
The three bills under consideration were sponsored by Rep. Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi (LP, Lagos), Rep. Idu Igariwey (PDP, Ebonyi) and Rep. Hassan Shehu Hussain (NNPP, Kano), respectively.
