Starting this year, all polytechnic students must complete a Mandatory Skills Qualification (MSQ) before graduation.
Dr. Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) announced this during a press conference held at the board’s headquarters in Kaduna yesterday.
The polytechnic sector’s recently approved service programmes require Principal/Chief Lecturers to hold doctorate degrees.
Bugaje stated that the policy represented a significant paradigm shift in polytechnic education in Nigeria, “so that we produce diploma holders with skills.”
He noted that while polytechnics aim for parity with universities, master’s degrees cannot be allowed to be the highest academic qualification in the polytechnics.
The NBTE boss stated that the new strategy would eliminate indolent academics who previously avoided doctorate degrees by hiding in polytechnics.
“You cannot give what you don’t have and that is why the NSQ was introduced for the promotion of lecturers who should drive the programme.
“This requirement will additionally make Polytechnic lecturers unique, having both academics and hands-on skills,” Bugaje said.
The polytechnic sector’s approved service schemes have been circulated, with recommendations of amendments to grey areas submitted to the Head of Service of the Federation (HoSF), Folasade Yemi-Esan.
Bugaje said, “The 2024 schemes is a revolutionary document with its recognition of HND holders for the first time, as Graduate Assistants like their university counterparts in our polytechnics.
“It also requires Principal/Chief Lecturers to have doctorate degrees.
“This requirement cannot be negotiated. This is because while we ask for parity between universities and polytechnics, we can’t allow the highest academics in polytechnics to have a master’s degree only.
“The indolent academics who, in the past, run and hid in polytechnics to avoid doctorate degrees, shall henceforth have no hiding place anymore.”
Commenting on a clause raised by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics ( ASUP) on the introduction of the Nigerian Skills Qualification (NSQ) certificate for the promotion of lecturers, Bugaje said, “the NSQ is not an informal qualification as misjudged by ASUP,” because it is already approved and recognised in the National Schemes of Service.”
He said, henceforth, all accreditations in state polytechnics shall be strictly on academic programmes to ensure standards are maintained.
Bugaje appealed to President Bola Tinubu, “to kindly extend the tenure of the HoSF to enable her complete the final schemes of service for the polytechnic sector before retiring.”