NBTE Allocates N1.5bn to Each Polytechnic for Local Production

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) intends to support each Nigerian polytechnic with funding ranging from N1 billion to N1.5 billion to establish production lines for locally made goods. This initiative, named One Product, One Polytechnic (1P1P), aims to reduce Nigeria's reliance on imports.

NBTE Director-General, Prof. Idris Bugaje, announced this during a strategic session with the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organisations, Nigerian tertiary institutions, and the organized private sector, organized by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council in Abuja. Bugaje emphasized the need for Nigeria to produce items locally, such as wheelbarrows, and criticized the disconnect between academic research and industry.

He advocated for industry-driven curricula, modern laboratories, and partnerships with private companies to enhance technical education. Proposed amendments to the Polytechnic Act would allow polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology degrees, addressing discrimination against Higher National Diploma holders.

RMRDC Director-General Prof. N. Ike-Muonso and TETFund representative Dr. Conforto-Chamberlain also stressed the importance of stronger links between research institutions and industry.