The Federal Government, through the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE), has empowered The Polytechnic, Ibadan, to enhance vocational skills training as part of efforts to bridge the growing skills gap in the country. The initiative, launched in collaboration with UNESCO, aims to equip students and individuals with practical competencies that align with global standards.
According to officials at the Skills Development Centre of The Polytechnic, the programme makes it mandatory for all National Diploma 2 students to acquire the National Skill Qualification alongside their academic degrees. With this development, students will graduate with dual certifications, combining their National Diploma with the internationally recognized NSQ certificate. The NSQ is a competence-based qualification that evaluates skills at both the training centre and the workplace, ensuring that graduates are equipped to meet global job market demands.
The Polytechnic stated that the NSQ certificates would be awarded by the NBTE through the Sector Skills Councils and UNESCO-accredited bodies. These certificates, it emphasized, can be tendered for skilled employment opportunities both within Nigeria and internationally. The institution underscored the federal government’s broader intention to prioritize skills acquisition over the mere attainment of academic degrees, as part of efforts to address unemployment and boost economic productivity.
The training programme is scheduled to commence during the 2024/2025 academic session. The Polytechnic disclosed that plans are in place to collaborate with MasterCraft professionals from outside the institution to enrich the training experience. Some of these professionals have also expressed interest in undergoing the training themselves to upgrade their qualifications.
Initially approved for three trade areas, The Polytechnic has now received authorization to operate in five trades, including automobile repairs, electrical installation, carpentry and joinery, masonry, and welding and fabrication. The institution also indicated that students may enroll in any other trade areas listed in the NBTE-NSQF framework. The programme will focus heavily on practical training, with 80 percent of the curriculum dedicated to hands-on activities conducted either at the school’s workshops and trade centres or at the workplaces of accredited MasterCraft practitioners. Despite the intensity of the practical sessions, the training is structured to ensure that it does not interfere with students’ regular academic activities, taking place mostly in the evenings.
Officials at the Skills Development Centre highlighted that there are no entry requirements for individuals interested in acquiring these vocational skills, making it accessible to a wide range of participants beyond the student population. The centre emphasized that the goal is to produce a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting global standards and revitalizing the local economy.
The Polytechnic also revealed that it had secured N40 million in funding to support training activities and purchase necessary consumables. According to the Centre’s management, the curriculum is based on the NSQ framework, ensuring that participants receive globally benchmarked training.
The institution further stressed that acquiring the NSQ certification has become increasingly important in the Nigerian polytechnic system, particularly for career advancement. In some cases, possessing the NSQ has become a prerequisite for promotion within state establishments, especially in engineering fields. By strengthening vocational education and focusing on master craftsmanship, the government hopes to reduce reliance on foreign artisans and ensure that Nigerians with proper qualifications fill skilled job roles, which would also help to retain foreign currency within the local economy.
Through this initiative, the government seeks to not only close the skills gap but also elevate the standard of vocational education, positioning more Nigerians for better job opportunities at home and abroad.
