The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen Nigeria’s polytechnic system, positioning the institutions as centres for technical skills acquisition, innovation, and national development. Speaking at the COHEADS Retreat in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, CON, stated that the Ministry is finalising the Polytechnic Act to restructure polytechnics, empower them to award degrees without losing their technical focus, and eliminate the longstanding HND dichotomy.

To support the reforms, the Federal Government has approved an ₦25 billion allocation to rehabilitate existing engineering and technical workshops, construct new facilities, and equip them fully. An inter-ministerial committee has been set up to oversee the deployment of the funds, ensuring transparency and alignment with the intended objectives.

Dr. Alausa emphasised that polytechnics’ strength lies in hands-on, industry-driven training, which is crucial for closing critical labour gaps, supporting industrialisation, and implementing the Nigeria First Policy. He noted that the reforms are part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and stressed that polytechnics are specialised institutions, not universities, focused on producing the skilled workforce needed to drive national development.