NAPS rejects Polytechnic-to-University conversion, demands B.Tech degrees

The newly elected National President of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), Comrade Jimoh Ibrahim, has issued a 14-day ultimatum demanding the immediate resignation of the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, over his alleged anti-polytechnic policies.

In his maiden press statement, Ibrahim accused the minister of actively undermining technical and vocational education across the country.

“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has shown that he is anti-technical education; he has demonstrated that he is against Polytechnic education in Nigeria,” Ibrahim declared.

He warned that Nigerian students will not sit idly by and watch the sector be destroyed, adding, “Any Minister who does not prioritise the technological advancement of the nation is not worthy of the appointment”.

Outlining his administration’s five-point agenda, the NAPS president emphasized student welfare, educational reform, institutional strengthening, capacity building, and strategic partnerships. He stated that the primary mandate of the new leadership is to aggressively combat the systemic challenges plaguing the polytechnic sector, including chronic underfunding, decaying infrastructure, and obsolete laboratories.

The student leader also issued a stern warning to tertiary institutions allegedly extorting students through the commercialization of the federal government’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative.

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While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing TVET, Ibrahim threatened that the student body would deploy all constitutional and democratic means—including mass protests and legal action—to shut down exploitative practices by institutional administrators.

“To every institution exploiting students under the guise of implementing TVET, this administration serves notice that such practices must stop immediately. Education interventions designed to empower students must never become avenues for exploitation,” he stated.

Addressing the long-standing dichotomy between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degrees, Ibrahim described the policy as “one of the greatest injustices in our educational system”. He vowed to relentlessly engage policymakers until polytechnic graduates receive equal career opportunities and recognition.

Furthermore, NAPS strongly opposed the ongoing trend of converting polytechnics into conventional universities. Ibrahim advocated instead for empowering existing polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degrees in line with global best practices.

“A nation genuinely committed to technological advancement and economic prosperity does not diminish its Polytechnics; it strengthens them,” he argued, calling for massive government investment in modern digital infrastructure, workshops, and industry partnerships.

Concluding his address, Ibrahim extended an olive branch to all polytechnic students and stakeholders, urging them to unite and rebuild the association following its transition period. He also commended the Department of State Services for its supportive role in ensuring a peaceful and successful national convention.