NBTE inaugurates foundation to revitalise polytechnic education

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has inaugurated the Nigerian Polytechnics Foundation (NIPOF) Council and dissolved an existing steering committee.

NAN reports that Idris Bugaje, the NBTE’s executive secretary, spoke at the inauguration event on Thursday.

He said the NIPOF will address the pressing challenges facing polytechnics in Nigeria.

Bugaje said the foundation’s mission is to advance the institutions to meet global standards in education, innovation, and research.

He said the world has rapidly evolved and education must adapt to meet the needs of the 21st century.

Bugaje explained that the NIPOF’s function is to initiate and revitalise polytechnic education by fostering academic innovation.

He said it will strengthen institutional capacity, promote industry collaboration, and facilitate international partnerships.

“Our polytechnic system must be the engine that drives Nigeria’s economic development and industrial growth. NIPOF is one of the key vehicles to get us there,” the NBTE executive secretary said.

“The benefits of NIPOF’s initiatives will be realised across all the polytechnics, enhancing both the academic and operational capacities of our Institutions.

“We will be issuing formal letters to all polytechnics as soon as the arrangements are finalised by the council.”

Ahmed Abdullahi, the chairman of NIPOF, said Nigerian polytechnics are lacking in equipment. and critical infrastructure.

He said his leadership of the NIPOF council would ensure both private and public polytechnics benefit from its interventions.