APPN Urges Government to Prioritise Technical Education

The Association of Private Polytechnics in Nigeria (APPN) has called on the government to intensify its focus on technical education, highlighting its pivotal role in national development.

Speaking during an interview in Abuja on Monday, Dr. Benjamin Achiatar, President of APPN, emphasised the transformative potential of technical education in building a skilled workforce and driving industrialisation.

“Government should pay attention and support private sector education because technical education is instrumental in making a remarkable contribution to nation-building through skilled manpower and enhancing productivity,” Dr. Achiatar said.

He noted that a strong technical workforce attracts investments, supports industries, and boosts economic development, significantly enhancing a nation’s competitiveness in the global market.

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Achiatar also underlined the importance of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which technical education fosters and which are essential for innovation.

He added that the government’s promise to grow the private sector should include robust support for private polytechnics, as these institutions are key stakeholders in the broader private education sector.

According to him, strengthening the private sector will lead to economic growth, with increased contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“We pay taxes, hence we are seeking support in addressing infrastructure deficits such as power—whether solar, generators, or transformers—and water supply through boreholes,” Achiatar appealed.

He also urged the government to ensure that the National Research Fund is accessible to all innovators, including private institutions, to encourage creativity and progress.

Drawing comparisons, Achiatar highlighted how countries like China are converting universities into polytechnics to meet industrial demands.

He warned that neglecting technology education would leave Nigeria reliant on imported products, thereby growing other economies at the expense of its own.

The APPN General Secretary, Olusola Alalade, echoed these sentiments, advocating for polytechnics to offer degree courses such as B.Tech (Hons).

He noted that this approach would better serve the system by producing a middle-level workforce for industries while allowing a smaller percentage to engage in advanced academic pursuits like research.

Alalade, who also owns Igbaja Polytechnic, stressed the need for equity in accessing research grants. He called for the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to extend such grants to private polytechnics.

Additionally, he urged the Federal Government to include students from private institutions in the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) program, ensuring equal opportunities for all.

“The fund should cover both students in public and private institutions because we are all in the same market, and all are students of the government. Everybody should be given equal opportunity by allowing all students to be covered in the programme,” Alalade stated.

The APPN’s appeals underscore the critical importance of government support in strengthening technical education, fostering innovation, and driving Nigeria’s industrialisation efforts.

NAN