Polytechnic Skills Drive Key to Nigeria’s Industrial Growth – Rector

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, Dr Ibrahim Bello Bashir, says strengthening skills-based technical education is critical to Nigeria’s economic growth and industrial self-reliance.

Bashir stated this on Friday in Damaturu during an interactive session marking his one year in office as rector of the institution.

He said polytechnic education, with at least 70 per cent practical content, was designed to produce industry-ready manpower capable of driving productivity and reducing dependence on foreign skilled labour.

According to him, Nigeria continues to import thousands of skilled workers for major infrastructure projects due to the poor certification and practical competence of local artisans.

He said the institution had introduced 24 new programmes aligned with manpower needs in agriculture, health, construction and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

The rector said lack of functional workshops and laboratories remained a major challenge, noting that most existing infrastructure were lecture theatres with limited economic impact.

He added that Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, was repositioning its curriculum to support local enterprise development in areas such as nutrition, catering, tourism and agro-processing.

Bashir said the reforms were aimed at creating self-employed graduates and stimulating the local economy in the absence of heavy industries in the North-East.

Earlier, members of the management staff commended the rector for infrastructural upgrades, programme expansion and improved engagement with government and industry stakeholders.

A scorecard of achievements under his one-year stewardship was presented at the event.