LAGOS – The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has vehemently opposed the proposed conversion of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) into a university.
The group cited the potential erosion of Nigeria’s technical education system.
This move comes after the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the conversion.
NAPS President, Comrade Eshiofune Oghayan argued that converting polytechnics into universities would undermine their unique role in providing practical and industrial-based training. Instead, he advocated for the full implementation of the HND to B.Tech transition, saying this would enable polytechnic graduates to receive internationally recognized degrees.
Oghayan emphasized that polytechnic institutions like YABATECH play a crucial role in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and industrial application, noting that developed nations like Germany, China, Canada, and the UK have thriving technical and vocational education sectors that fuel their industrial economies.
The association proposed an alternative solution, suggesting the conversion of the National Board for Technical Education, (NBTE) into a Polytechnic Education Commission.
“This move would elevate the status and authority of polytechnic education in national planning, ensure adequate funding, and establish clear pathways for career progression,” he said.
NAPS appealed to President Tinubu to reconsider the decision, urging the government to prioritize the development of polytechnic education. The association vowed to mobilize polytechnic students across the country to resist the proposed conversion.
