Date: 2021-10-05

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has been urged to urgently review the Curriculum of Polytechnics so as to meet the contemporary Challenges facing the technological development of Nigeria in the 21st Century.

The recommendation was contained in a Communique issued after the three day Joint National Conference organised by the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin from September 28th to 30th, 2021.

The Theme of the conference was "Strengthening Polytechnic Education: A panacea for combating Contemporary challenges."

In the communique signed by chairman of the conference, Mr M.B Lawal, noted that the Curriculum of the Polytechnics which had been in use for over 30years should be reviewed to meet up with the changing global technological development and address contemporary challenges in Nigeria.

It said, "New courses in the areas of Fashion and Clothing Technology, General Arts, Catering General Arts and Music should be introduced into the NBTE Curriculum.

"Nigerian Polytechnics should be better funded, infrastructural facilities should be provided for them and there is need for the establishment of a National Polytechnic Commission through which issues relating to the running of Nigerian Polytechnics can be better addressed."

"Polytechnic education plays a vital role in human resource development of a country by creating skilled manpower, enhancing industrial productivity and improving the quality of life.

"Vocational and Technical education is a major tool which advanced countries have used to develop their economies," the Communiqué said.