The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) has lamented the neglect of Nigeria’s polytechnic institutions which it said has led to low patronage by students seeking admission into higher institutions.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja yesterday, held as part of the activities during the advocacy roundtable on the future of Nigeria’s Polytechnic system, ASUP President, Mr. Anderson Ezeibe disclosed that only one per cent of candidates in the Joint Admission and Matriculation’s (JAMB) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations apply for polytechnics.

He argued that some of government’s policies and pronouncements had helped to de-market the polytechnic system in the country.

He said the country’s National Policy on Education recognises polytechnic institutions as a key platform for promotion of technical and vocational education, noting however, that the noble objective had not received necessary support it deserved.

“The low appetite for polytechnics today is evidenced by the one per cent approximate applicant figures for polytechnics in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations in the last five years as young Nigerians continue to show their preference for the other tiers of tertiary education in the country,” he said.

With 38 and 49 of the polytechnics currently under the proprietorship of the federal and state governments respectively; and an additional 65 run as private polytechnics, Ezeibe said one could hardly feel any sense of mandate fulfilment in the sector.

Responding to questions from journalists, the ASUP President said: “The highest level of certification permissible for Nigerian polytechnics as we speak, is the Higher National Diploma (HND). And we all know what those who have these particular certificates have been subjected to in the public and private sectors of the economy.

“We do not think that this should continue. We do not think that’s polytechnics should continue to have this as its highest level of certification, because that is not the trend in order the loops in the economies.

“We also believe that we have enough capacity, both in terms of human and infrastructure, in certain programmes in different polytechnics to go beyond higher National Diploma certifications. We are really taking the issues serious.

“Another issue is funding. Recently, the government budget was presented to the National Assembly, and approximately eight per cent of the total only was dedicated to education. We have not seen the breakdown to see what is there for the polytechnics.

“If we convert it to dollars with the current rate, it’s just about $3.2 billion and this is for the entire education institution in the whole of Nigeria. Whereas MIT in the United States of America, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the budget for alone 2020 is $3.7 billion.”

Ezeibe who was making a case for an improvement in the status and recognition of polytechnic institutions in the country, said he would like government and other stakeholders to use the opportunity of the forum to suggest ways of further making it more relevant.

______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence

Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via: 0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888 Website: www.alexandernigeria.com

_______________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation _______________________________________________________________________

“Order Justice Omolaye-Ajileye’s Electronic Evidence Books Now” — Essential Guides On Evidence Act, Case Law And Digital Proof

Two leading books on electronic evidence by Hon. Justice Professor Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye, Rtd., PhD, FICMC, are now available for purchase. The publications, Electronic Evidence (Second Edition), With The Evidence Act, 2011 and Compendium Of Cases On Electronic Evidence, Volume II, 2020–2025, provide practical guidance, legal analysis and recent judicial authorities on electronic evidence in Nigeria.Order directly from the author here: https://velvety-cendol-7387ed.netlify.app/ _______________________________________________________________________ Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes ‘Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers’ With Free Research eBook The book also examines Nigeria's legal ecosystem, focusing on the LPELR and NBA AI Guidelines. As a bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE eBook titled: How to Use the AI Features in LegalPedia and LawPavilion. Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating: "....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic." How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626 Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACIarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria. _______________________________________________________________________