To revitalise polytechnic education, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has inaugurated the Nigerian Polytechnics Foundation Council and dissolved the existing steering committee.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Foundation, the Executive secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) Professor Idris Bugaje said NIPOF is designed to address the pressing challenges facing polytechnics in Nigeria.
He said the move will strengthen institutional capacity, promote industry collaboration, and facilitate international partnerships and collaboration.
Professor Bugaje said the mission is to advance the institutions to meet the global standards of excellence in education, innovation, and research.
He emphasised that the world is rapidly evolving, stating that education must adapt to meet the needs of the 21st century, making NIPOF’s role pivotal.
The NBTE boss expressed optimism that the development would transform polytechnic education nationwide, towards ensuring that graduates are fully equipped with the technical skills required for Nigeria’s industrialisation and possess the global competencies needed to thrive in the international labour markets.
Professor Bugaje called on all polytechnics to support the foundation, especially for take-off of the NIPOF in order to achieve the set objectives.
In a remark, Chairman Nigerian Polytechnics Foundation Council NIPOF, Professor Ahmed Abdullahi, declared readiness to ensure both private and public polytechnics benefit from equipment, adding that they would also expand the membership of NIPOF to the diaspora.