Why Are Nigerians Still Underrating Polytechnics?
By now, you would think Nigerians would realize that technical education is the real engine of development. But sadly, we still see polytechnics as “lesser” institutions – places you end up when the university dream doesn’t work out. It’s a mindset that’s hurting not just the students, but the country’s future.
Take Federal Polytechnic, Daura in Katsina State, for example. This young institution is doing quite well as they just secured a whopping N750 million intervention from TETFund (Tertiary Education Trust Fund), and it’s all going into real, impactful development – skills training, modern equipment, and even solar-powered labs. That’s exactly the kind of investment we need if we are serious about solving unemployment and building a tech-driven economy.
This piece will explore the role of TETFund in Nigerian education, how Federal Polytechnic, Daura, achieved this milestone, and the broader implications for technical education across the country.
Understanding TETFund: A Catalyst for Educational Growth
Established in 2011, TETFund has been quietly transforming campuses across the country. It collects a 2% education tax from the assessable profits of registered companies in Nigeria and reinvests it in public tertiary institution by:
- Enhancing teaching and learning facilities.
- Improving staff development through training programs.
- Funding essential infrastructure projects in tertiary institutions.
- Promoting entrepreneurship and skill acquisition programs.
It is worth mentioning that TETFund has sponsored thousands of academic staff for Masters, PhD programs, and research both within and outside Nigeria. Institutions like Bayero University, Kano (BUK) and the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA), have particularly advanced their research capabilities and technical programs through these interventions. Their contributions have left lasting marks on many institutions across the country.
So, when Federal Polytechnic Daura submitted a strategic proposal for skill development and equipment upgrades, TETFund came through with a N750 million intervention.
How Daura Poly Did It: Targeted Funding, A Strategic Move.
Led by its forward-thinking Rector, Professor Aliyu Mamman, Daura Poly didn’t just ask for money, they made a case for nation-building.
They didn’t just sit around hoping for a miracle. Their leadership went in with a strategy. They requested N350 million for skill development and N400 million for equipment upgrades – exactly the kind of funding TETFund looks for. They made a solid case for what they needed, and they got it.
And what did they do with it?
Skill Development: Preparing Students for the Future
N350 million was allocated to improving the polytechnic’s skills acquisition programs. The focus is on practical and vocational training tailored to the demands of local industries. By investing in skill development, Federal Polytechnic, Daura is empowering its students to become job creators rather than job seekers.
Courses likely to benefit include mechanical engineering, electrical electronics, building technology, and other vocational disciplines. Enhancing practical training ensures that graduates can meet the technical needs of both local and international labor markets.
Equipment Upgrades: Modernizing Learning Environments
The remaining N400 million was earmarked for equipment upgrades across various departments. Modern, functional laboratories are crucial for effective technical education, and Daura Poly recognized this. New machinery, updated technology, and upgraded tools will now provide students with hands-on experiences that mirror real-world scenarios.
The polytechnic also emphasized innovation by integrating renewable energy solutions.
Solar Power Initiative: Reliable Energy for Learning
One of the standout features of this project is the installation of solar power systems in eight laboratories. By doing this, Federal Polytechnic Daura ensures that even in the face of Nigeria’s erratic power supply, students and lecturers can continue their practical sessions uninterrupted.
This last part is big energy. In a country where electricity is never guaranteed, being able to run labs anytime is impressive.
A Cloud On The Horizon: Low Enrolment Challenges
According to Professor Aliyu Mamman, despite all these improvements, Daura Poly is struggling with low enrolment.
Out of the 2,600 available slots the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) granted them , only 958 are filled. That’s over 60% of capacity just sitting unused.
Why? Because Nigerians still think a polytechnic diploma is not “good enough.” Even parents discourage their children from applying, pushing them towards overcrowded universities instead. It’s a cultural bias that we urgently need to unlearn.
Professor Mamman put it bluntly that if this mindset doesn’t change, Nigeria’s technical manpower base will continue to suffer, and the country will lag behind in industrial growth and innovation.
I couldn’t agree more because, let’s be honest, most university graduates today are jobless, while skilled technicians and vocational experts are in high demand.
The world has changed. You can build a career and a business if you have the right technical skills. Polytechnics are built for exactly that.
We Need a National Reorientation Fast
It’s quite ironic that even with all this progress, the Nigerian public still clings to outdated beliefs that universities are the only path to success. That’s a problem.
We need to stop looking down on technical education if we truly want to reduce unemployment, industrialize the country, and compete globally. Skill acquisition needs to be invested into, not just theories and degrees.
Federal Polytechnic, Daura has shown what’s possible when vision meets opportunity. They are building a school that trains students to become innovators, job creators, and problem-solvers.
This deserves celebration and continuity as it proves that with the right leadership and support, polytechnics aren’t just relevant, they are revolutionary.
How Other Polytechnics Can Learn From Daura’s TETFund Success
Federal Polytechnic, Daura’s recent success in securing a ₦750 million TETFund grant is a bold statement about what’s possible when an institution takes initiative and aligns itself with national priorities. It’s a development that should prompt other polytechnics across Nigeria to reflect on.
TETFund support is not handed out randomly. It follows vision, planning, and a clear demonstration of impact.
To emulate this success, other polytechnics must take deliberate steps that position them for TETFund consideration. These steps include:
- Developing and aligning proposals with national priorities, especially in areas like technical education, STEM, and entrepreneurship development.
- Strengthening internal capacity through grant-writing training and better project planning
- Showcasing transparency and accountability, including a clean track record of fund usage, audits, and timely reporting.
- Engaging stakeholders to show how proposed projects will deliver sustainable, real-world impact beyond the classroom.
Federal Poly, Daura, likely stood out not just because of its needs, but because it raised salient reasons why those needs matter in the context of national development. Other polytechnics must now see themselves as contributors to this development agenda.
With increased competition for limited funds, polytechnics that don’t step up will be left behind.
Federal Polytechnic, Daura has raised the bar. The rest must now rise to meet it – not just for their own growth, but for the future of technical education in Nigeria
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