The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has expressed concern over the underutilisation of polytechnics in research and development, which has resulted in a lack of innovation in Nigeria.
During an interactive meeting with Rectors and Directors of Research of Polytechnics on National Research Fund (NRF) grants organised by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, called for a closer collaboration between universities and polytechnics in conducting innovative research that meets the needs of society.
Bugaje also urged the NRF to allocate a portion of its grants for polytechnics to continue funding fundamental research and commercialization efforts.
In response, TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, urged polytechnics across the country to embark on quality research proposals that translate into commercial and innovative use.
He emphasized the need for skilled manpower in Nigeria, stating that graduates need to be equipped with the right skills to contribute to the country’s economy and meet the needs of the industry.
Echono also noted that foreign companies are relocating to Nigeria due to a lack of qualified manpower, while there is still high graduate unemployment in critical sectors of the economy.
