Ex-NABTEB registrar seeks award of degrees by polytechnics

Former Registrar, National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), Prof. Olu Aina, has urged the Federal Government to provide the necessary wherewithal for polytechnics to start awarding bachelor and post-graduate degrees in technology-related programmes.

The ex-NABTEB boss, also canvassed the abolishment of the Higher National Diploma (HND) degree, lamenting that Nigerian polytechnics have failed to measure up with their counterparts in other countries.

The don stated this in his lecture at the combined convocation of the Osun State College of Technology, Esa Oke, Osun State.

In his paper titled: ‘Revitalising polytechnic education in Nigeria: From challenges to opportunities,’ Aina said the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has failed to fulfill its obligation.

He advised that polytechnics should be statutorily empowered to offer degree programmes at Bachelor, Master and Ph.D. levels, while retaining their designation.

The former NABTEB chief also advised that polytechnics should be allowed to run Bachelors, Master and Ph.D. degrees in technology-related programmes.

“To this end, only National Diploma should be allowed to continue, while HND should be abolished.”

He, however, advised that there should be a moratorium of at least five to six years for the transition to allow academic staff with lower qualifications to upgrade to minimum requirements.

“The new national diploma should be three years with six months’ apprenticeship after the first semester of the first year and another six months apprenticeship after the first semester of the second year, while the last two semesters should be in school.”

He accused the NBTE of being part of the problems confronting polytechnics, rather than being an agent of the solution.

Aina maintained that the NBTE, as currently structured, cannot effectively deliver on the mandate of polytechnic in Nigeria, saying an entirely new commission for polytechnics should be established.