Recent legislative records indicate significant developments regarding the “Bill for an Act to Establish a National Polytechnics Commission to Supervise, Regulate, and Coordinate Polytechnic Education in Nigeria and for Related Matters” (HB. 673). The Bill is sponsored by Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, Hon. Idu Igariwey and Hon. Fuad Kayode Laguda, as the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, has been actively presenting the committee’s report on the bill. Bill progress: Committee stage.
The primary aim of the bill is to establish a new commission dedicated to supervising, regulating, and coordinating polytechnic and higher technical education across Nigeria. This initiative is intended to replace the existing oversight by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), reflecting the growing need for a more focused approach to polytechnic education management.
The bill has garnered support from the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), which has advocated for the creation of a separate commission. ASUP argues that the current regulatory framework under the NBTE is inadequate, especially given the significant increase in the number of polytechnics and other institutions requiring tailored regulatory support.
As the process unfolds, the establishment of the National Polytechnics Commission is seen as a critical step toward enhancing the quality and oversight of polytechnic education in Nigeria, ensuring that it meets the demands of an evolving educational landscape.
