National Board for Technical Education Inaugurates Nigerian Polytechnics Foundation Council, Dissolves Steering Committee

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) inaugurated the Nigerian Polytechnics Foundation Council (NIPOF) and dissolved the previous steering committee. The new foundation is aimed at addressing significant challenges facing polytechnic institutions in Nigeria.

NBTE Executive Secretary Idris Bugaje, in his address, emphasized that NIPOF's mission is to enhance polytechnic education to meet global standards in education, innovation, and research. He highlighted the necessity for educational adaptation to align with the evolving demands of the 21st century, underlining the pivotal role of NIPOF in this transformation.

Bugaje detailed that NIPOF would focus on fostering academic innovation, strengthening institutional capacity, promoting industry collaboration, and facilitating international partnerships. The goal is to equip graduates with the technical skills necessary for Nigeria's industrial growth and global competitiveness.

The idea for NIPOF was initially proposed by Monday Makhuoga, a former training consultant to NBTE, who had previously attempted to arrange equipment donations from the USA. Bugaje called for widespread support from polytechnics to ensure the foundation’s successful implementation.

Ahmed Abdullahi, the Chairman of NIPOF, acknowledged the lack of adequate equipment in Nigerian polytechnics. He promised that under his leadership, efforts would be made to ensure that both private and public institutions benefit from necessary resources, and that the foundation's membership would be expanded internationally.