Dominic Udoatan, NATE’s National President, voiced this appeal during a press briefing in Abuja, where he praised the recent announcement by Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa to empower polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degrees. Udoatan described the minister’s stance as a "major milestone" for technical education in Nigeria, one that deserves full institutional backing.
However, NATE insists that policy pronouncements alone aren’t enough. The association is calling for concrete structural changes, including the creation of a Nigerian Polytechnic Commission (NPC) to oversee polytechnics independently. Currently, these institutions fall under the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), which NATE believes limits their growth potential. Udoatan emphasized that polytechnics must be properly funded and equipped to handle their expanded role in degree-awarding, urging both federal and state governments to prioritize investment in technical education.
Beyond qualifications, NATE highlighted gaps in Nigeria’s technical skill development. Over 81 vocational areas under the National Vocational Qualification Framework (NVQF) have been mapped out, yet critical engineering trades—essential for manufacturing and industrial growth—remain neglected. The association is pushing for collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and NBTE to refine curricula and standards for these skills, ensuring they meet global benchmarks.
NATE also threw its weight behind the upcoming Engineering Residency Programme by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering (COREN), urging full government funding to enhance practical training for polytechnic and university graduates alike. Such initiatives, they argue, would bridge the gap between theory and practice, fostering innovation and economic growth.
The association’s appeal to President Tinubu includes a demand for immediate career justice: allowing current HND holders to progress beyond Grade Level 14 in public service, a ceiling that has stifled their advancement for years. NATE believes unifying qualifications and elevating technical education will unlock Nigeria’s industrial potential, creating jobs and reducing reliance on foreign expertise.
In closing, Udoatan called for a collective effort—government, private sector, educators, and media—to rally behind these reforms. "This isn’t just about fairness for polytechnic graduates," he noted. "It’s about building a workforce that can compete globally and drive Nigeria’s development forward."
