The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has thrown its weight behind a proposed bill seeking to establish a National Polytechnics Commission, describing it as a critical step toward improving the regulation of polytechnic education in Nigeria.
ASUP President Shammah Kpanja confirmed the union’s support in a statement released on Sunday in Abuja. The bill, sponsored by Idu Igariwey, is currently awaiting its final reading and passage in the House of Representatives.
“This effort is coming after several failed legislative efforts in the past on the same subject,” Kpanja stated, highlighting the challenges faced in pushing for such regulatory reforms.
The proposed commission has garnered widespread backing from stakeholders, as demonstrated during a public hearing held in August 2024. Additionally, the federal ministry of education has expressed its support for the bill, aligning it with the goals outlined in the approved Road Map for the Education Sector (2024–2027).
Kpanja, however, criticized recent suggestions to establish a commission for technical education as a replacement for the proposed National Polytechnics Commission. He dismissed the idea as a “mere change of name” that would fail to address the core issues plaguing polytechnic education.
“This proposal is self-serving and a distraction that could undermine the efforts of the House of Representatives,” he warned.
The ASUP president emphasized the need for a dedicated commission to oversee Nigeria’s polytechnics and monotechnics, which are currently regulated under the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
“Our union has been making demands for the establishment of a separate commission to regulate the tertiary education institutions found in the current mix of over 700 institutions under the NBTE,” Kpanja said.
He noted that such a commission would enhance regulation, streamline oversight, and align with practices in other tertiary education sub-sectors.
As the bill awaits its final legislative approval, ASUP’s endorsement signals strong support from the academic community for a move they believe could transform the polytechnic education system in Nigeria.
(NAN)
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