The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has met with the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnic to advocate for the Board’s upgrade to the National Polytechnic Commission in the country.
NBTE’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje, made the plea during his presentation to the House Committee, which was chaired by Hon. Fuad Kayode Laguda at the Board’s Headquarters in Kaduna.
He also highlighted that the Board has been inadequately funded over the years, which has affected its oversight functions and curriculum review for the over 700 institutions under its supervision.
The chairman and members of the House Committee conducted an oversight visit to the Board in Kaduna.
“We warmly welcome this Honourable Committee to the NBTE, and we look forward to greater collaborations to move this sector forward. The struggle to upgrade NBTE to the National Polytechnic Commission has started, and your support is indispensable in realizing this dream,” Bugaje said.
Bugaje highlighted the critical role TVET plays in addressing the nation’s skill gaps, particularly in infrastructure development.
“No economy can grow without infrastructure. We have the AKK Gas Pipeline, Trans-Saharan Natural Gas Pipeline, Rail Upgrade and Expansion, Mambila Power Plant, and Dangote Refinery and Urea Plant, among others.”
However, Bugaje lamented that these projects were being executed with imported skilled labour from Asia, while Nigerian youths remained jobless.
According to him, “Every polytechnic has a Skills Development Centre, established with TETFund intervention. We must utilize these facilities to train our youths.”
He also identified some challenges facing TVET institutions, including poor funding, outdated curricula, lack of modern equipment, and stigmatization of TVET graduates.
“The 2024 budget was our worst, with significant cuts at the National Assembly. We need adequate funding to review ND/HND curricula within the five-year time frame,” Bugaje said.
This was just as he expressed concern over the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2013 and implemented in 2017, saying that “NSQF provides a bridge between workplaces and education/training institutions, ensuring quality assurance for all stakeholders.”
Bugaje warned that the NSQF was under threat from the ITF Amendment Act 2024 while noting that “we must protect this framework to ensure Nigeria’s skill development aligns with global standards.”
Regarding the NBTE’s land dispute in Abuja, Bugaje recounted the longstanding issue, noting that “In 2003, the land was allocated to NBTE at Maitama with Certificate of Occupancy No. 445. However, DB Mangal seized two-thirds of the land and built ‘Murjanatu House’ for commercial renting.”
The matter is currently before the Appeal Court.
“We seek the Tinubu Administration’s investigation into this and nine other critical inherited corruption matters,” Bugaje added.
In his response, the House Committee Chairman assured the NBTE of the committee’s support.
“We will work closely with the NBTE to address the challenges facing TVET institutions and ensure Nigeria’s skill development meets global standards.”