Odufuwa, Dada advocate functional education at LCP convocation

Major reason for the socio-economic crisis, particularly unemployment, being experienced in Nigeria, is because successive governments have deviated from the purpose for which they were established.

Besides, chairman, governing council, Lagos City Polytechnic (LCP), Mr Babatunde Odufuwa and keynote speaker at the 15th convocation of the polytechnic, Oluropo Dada, also lamented that education curriculum is not constantly reviewed to reflect current trends.

Odufuwa reminded of the primary role of polytechnic education, introduced to produce technical manpower and impact necessary skills for the production of technicians, technologists and other skilled personnel.

He lamented that there had been “obvious shift in focus,” as most institutions now concentrate on raising men and women, who would only be fitted for white-collar jobs.

While commending the Federal Government for creating the enabling environment for private institutions to thrive, he stressed the need to ensure that youths embrace polytechnic education.

Odufuwa, who is also the founder of Southwestern University, said: “Presently, youths seeking admission into higher institutions prefer universities to polytechnics. The general belief is that it is those who do not meet entry requirements to universities that are admitted into polytechnics.”

He called on the three tiers of government to increase subventions to polytechnics across board, pointing out that well-funded polytechnics would drastically reduce unemployment crisis in the country.

In his keynote address, Dada called for a comprehensive review of the tertiary education sector by drawing up strategic plan and roadmap to revitalise it in line with global best practices.

He also recommended encouragement of vocational training; partnership between industry players and tertiary institutions to enable students undertake in-company placements internships; investment in enterprise skills development; and diversification of tertiary education curriculum to meet the needs of labour market.

Dada also recommended employment of qualified lecturers and instructors; suspension of further approval of new tertiary institutions by government to enable existing ones consolidate; introduction of public-private partnerships in tertiary institutions and concerted effort by all stakeholders to raise awareness about the value of technical skills and diverse opportunities available through vocational training, among others.