Proprietors of private polytechnics in the country have warned against converting the institutions to universities, urging the Federal Government to emulate countries like China, which are converting their universities to polytechnics.

The group, under the aegis of the Association of Private Polytechnics in Nigeria (APPN), said it is imperative to retain polytechnics and adequately fund them, to produce the technical manpower needed to drive Nigeria’s industrialisation.

President of the APPN, Benjamin Achiatar, who stated this in an interview with reporters, said supporting technical education would give room for more skilled manpower and enhance productivity.

“Other countries like China are converting universities to polytechnics to fire their industries. If we do not pay attention to education in technology, we will continue to be importing products from other countries and paying them money, growing their economies,’’ Achiatar said.

In 2017, China converted an estimated 600 universities into polytechnics,
It said the goal was to produce more graduates with technical skills and reduce unemployment.

“A skilled technical workforce attracts investment and supports industries that drive economic development. Not only does it drive industrialisation, a country’s technical capabilities can improve its standing in the global market,’’ he said.

Achiatar noted that technical education encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are imperative for innovation. He reminded of government’s promise to grow the private sector, saying private polytechnics represent one of such.

According to him, if the government makes private sector grow, it will lead to growth in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“We pay taxes, hence we are seeking support in infrastructure deficits like power, whether solar, generators or transformers, and also water supply through boreholes,’’ he added.

Achiatar appealed that the National Research Fund (NRF) should also be opened to all who have creative ideas and innovations, not just government institutions.

General Secretary of the APPN, Olusola Alalade, said if polytechnics can offer degree courses and award B.Tech, it would serve the system better.

“It means polytechnics can provide a workforce for the middle level, for industries, while a small percentage can also be involved in advanced academic activities like research,’’ he said.

Alalade, who is the Proprietor of Igbaja Polytechnic, said research grants provided by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to universities should also be made available to private polytechnics. He also appealed to the federal government to extend the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to students in private institutions.