Polytechnics Face Talent Drain as Stakeholders Call for Unified Admission Policy

edutvnigeria

18/06/26 • 189 צפיות • 0 לַחֲלוֹק • פורסם ב אַחֵר

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s polytechnic education sector have condemned what they describe as persistent discriminatory admission policies and systemic neglect of technical institutions, warning that the trend is weakening enrolment, deepening skills shortages, and undermining the country’s industrial development ambitions.

The concerns come against the backdrop of the 2026 admission guidelines issued by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which set a minimum cut-off mark of 150 for universities, while polytechnics and colleges of education were pegged at 100.

According to stakeholders, the disparity continues to reinforce negative perceptions of polytechnics as inferior alternatives, despite their central role in producing the technical manpower required for national development.

Rising from a virtual maiden international conference that brought together academics, administrators, union leaders, alumni, and industry experts, participants called for urgent reforms to reposition the sub-sector.

In a communiqué jointly signed by the Chairman of the organising committee, Dr. Peter Ajewole, and Secretary, Dr. Ige Ayeni, the stakeholders warned that the current admission structure is accelerating a talent drain away from institutions designed to support Nigeria’s industrial and technological growth.

“The disparities in admission cut-off marks for universities and polytechnics have contributed to a talent drain from institutions most suited to serve the needs of Nigeria’s industrial development,” the communiqué stated.

The conference further observed that entrenched perceptions of polytechnics as lower-tier institutions remain a major barrier to attracting high-performing students, despite the practical relevance and rigour of their curriculum.

Stakeholders stressed that technical and vocational education should not be treated as a fallback option but as a critical pillar of national development.

To address the imbalance, the conference urged the Federal Government to adopt a uniform, merit-based admission policy across all tertiary institutions, eliminating structural disadvantages currently faced by polytechnics.

Participants also expressed concern over Nigeria’s low gross tertiary enrolment ratio of 13.5 per cent, noting that polytechnic enrolment has dropped to below five per cent of total admissions, a trend they described as alarming for a country pursuing industrial expansion.

Beyond admission policies, the conference identified several structural challenges affecting the sector, including inadequate funding, outdated regulatory frameworks, weak industry linkages, poor digital infrastructure, low research commercialisation, and exclusion from key national development programmes.

The stakeholders also raised concerns over the newly established National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF), commending its approval by the Federal Executive Council but faulting its governance framework for failing to explicitly include polytechnics.

They described the proposed fund, projected to provide up to $500 million annually, as a landmark intervention in Nigeria’s research and development ecosystem, but warned that exclusion of polytechnics could entrench existing inequalities.

“The NRIDF governance structure presently does not adequately recognise polytechnics. This exclusion poses a structural risk that must be addressed before the enabling legislation is finalised,” the communiqué stated.

The conference therefore called for the inclusion of polytechnics as direct beneficiaries of the fund, alongside the creation of a dedicated financing stream aligned with national technical manpower needs.

Participants further advocated increased investment in laboratories, workshops, ICT infrastructure, research facilities, and staff capacity development, noting that many institutions remain ill-equipped for modern digital learning.

They lamented weak internet connectivity, poor e-learning systems, and limited adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence tools for teaching, assessment, and administration.

To bridge these gaps, stakeholders urged institutional leaders to prioritise digital literacy, upgrade ICT infrastructure, and integrate AI-driven solutions into academic and administrative processes.

The conference also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between polytechnics and industry, noting that many research outputs remain underutilised and fail to translate into commercial or industrial applications.

It highlighted opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, solid minerals, and the digital economy, urging polytechnics to reposition themselves as key drivers of applied research and innovation.

In his opening remarks, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Dr. Temitope Alake, called for a shift towards innovation-driven and competency-based education aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He stressed the need for institutions to move beyond theoretical instruction and produce graduates equipped with practical, industry-relevant skills.

Similarly, the President of the Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti Alumni Association, Badru Rafiu, listed discriminatory admission policies, inadequate funding, outdated curricula, weak industry collaboration, poor infrastructure, and negative public perception as key constraints facing the sector.

Stakeholders warned that the window for reform is narrowing and urged urgent, coordinated action from government, regulators, lawmakers, industry players, alumni, and academic institutions to rescue and reposition polytechnic education in Nigeria.

Download our Mobile App for easy access
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edutvmobile.ng&hl=en

Mobile App Lite
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edutvng.lite
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edutvmobile.ng&hl=en