The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) on Thursday inaugurated the Nigerian Polytechnics Foundation (NIPOF) Council and dissolved the existing steering committee.
In his inaugural speech, the Executive Secretary of the board, Prof. Idris Bugaje, said NIPOF was designed to address the pressing challenges facing polytechnics in Nigeria.
Bugaje said its mission was to advance the institutions to meet global standards of excellence in education, innovation, and research.
He emphasized that the world was rapidly evolving, stating that education must adapt to meet the needs of the 21st century, making the NIPOF’s role pivotal.
Bugaje explained that the NIPOF’s function was to initiate and revitalize polytechnic education by fostering academic innovation.
It will also strengthen institutional capacity, promote industry collaboration, and facilitate international partnerships and collaboration.
Through efforts of the NIPOF’s council, he said, NBTE aimed to transform polytechnic education nationwide
This is to ensure that graduates are not only equipped with the technical skills required for Nigeria’s industrialization but also possess the global competencies needed to thrive in the international labor market.
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“Our polytechnic system must be the engine that drives Nigeria economic development and industrial growth, and NIPOF is one of the key vehicles to get us there,” he said.
Speaking further, Bugaje said that the whole idea of setting up the foundation came from one Monday Makhuoga.
Makhuoga had served as training consultant to NBTE for many years and was attempting to arrange donation of equipment from the USA.
He equally said one Dr Okpok Mfon, was very passionate about uplifting polytechnic education in Nigeria.
This was with his plans for training lecturers on research, innovations and he is planning a major workshop in November in
Abuja, free of charge.
“He is at the moment planning to register NIPOF in USA to facilitate easy access to grants and donations of equipment for Nigerian Polytechnics,” he said.
To ensure the success of NIPOF, the NBTE boss called on all Polytechnics to support the foundation, especially for take-off.
“The benefits of NIPOF’s initiatives will be realized across all the Polytechnics, enhancing both the academic and operational capacities of our Institutions.
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”’We will be issuing formal letters to all Polytechnics as soon as the arrangements are finalized by the council,” he said.
Chairman of the NIPOF, Prof. Ahmed Abdullahi, said Nigerian polytechnics lacked adequate equipment.
He said his leadership of the council would ensure both private and public polytechnics benefit from equipment, adding that they would expand the membership of NIPOF in diaspora.
Abdullahi said the foundation was one of its kind, emphasizing that they would work hard to make Nigerians proud.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new members added into the NIPOF’s council included Dr Zakari Abdullahi, Head, Linkages and International Collaboration at the NBTE.
He is to serve as Secretary to ensure continuous and effective communication between NIPOF and NBTE.
Dr Nuru Yakubu, a former boss of NBTE, would serve as Vice Chairman for the Northern region while Dr Aluko Olarewaju is Vice Chairman for the Southern region.
Dr Okpok Mfon and Mr Monday Makhuoga from the United States are diaspora members
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