The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has reaffirmed its commitment to combating the proliferation of unaccredited institutions masquerading as polytechnics.
The board recently announced a landmark partnership with MOCLLC, a United States (US) based research and training organization, to introduce Applied Interdisciplinary Engineering and Technology Research into Nigerian polytechnics.
This initiative aims to transform the sector into a hub for innovation, research, and job creation.
During an accreditation visit to Harvarde College of Science, Business, and Management Studies in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Fatimah Kabir Umar, NBTE director of Polytechnic and Allied Programmes, emphasized that the agency would continue to clamp down on unaccredited institutions that undermine the government’s commitment to quality education.
She said, “We have been fighting against mushroom entities calling themselves what they are not, we won’t stop to fight such an establishment in the interest of safeguarding what is best for the nation.
“Yes, we know that there is no way we won’t have a few bad eggs around, but we shall continue to fight them and ensure that they do not stand in the way of the government’s commitment to the delivery of qualitative education at all levels.”
She urged the lecturers in the institution to engage in personal development and register with appropriate professional bodies.
Umar lauded the management of the institution for complementing the federal government’s efforts to provide qualitative tertiary education for Nigerians.
The founder and provost of Harvarde college of science, business, and management studies, Oluwatosin Adebayo, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to continuous investment aimed at strengthening the college’s position.
He explained that the NBTE’s visit was for resource inspection and accreditation of approximately eight courses, including Film and Multimedia Production, Journalism and Media Studies, Accountancy, Business Administration, Networking and Cloud Computing, Software and Web Development, as well as institutional accreditation.
In Kaduna, NBTE executive secretary, Idris Bugaje, announced the landmark collaboration with MOCLLC, highlighting that the initiative focuses on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and open source technologies.
He noted that the board has already trained lecturers across the country, culminating in the first international seminar and conference scheduled in Abuja this November.
According to Bugaje, the reforms represent a complete paradigm shift, designed to enable polytechnics to move from theoretical instruction to practical solutions, preparing graduates to become job creators rather than job seekers.
The training programme, which began last year, responds to the global rise of AI and the increasing adoption of open source LINUX platforms in education and industry.
Bugaje described the collaboration as a turning point for polytechnic education in Nigeria, emphasizing that technology driven innovation must serve as the foundation for the country’s industrialization efforts.
Bugaje said, “What we are witnessing is a complete paradigm shift.
“This programme has empowered our lecturers with skills in machine learning, symbolic computation, and applied research techniques that will transform not only classrooms but entire communities.
“We are moving from theory to practice, from certificates to solutions.”
A high level NBTE delegation, including the Rector of Bayelsa State Polytechnic, Wisdom Clinton, recently visited the headquarters of MOCLLC in Atlanta, Georgia, to strengthen institutional collaboration.
According to Bugaje, the Atlanta team demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting Nigerian lecturers through technical deployment, curriculum innovation, and research guidance.
Bugaje noted that the initiative will culminate in the first NBTE International Seminar and Conference on Applied Interdisciplinary Engineering and Technology, scheduled for November 25 to 27, at the UBEC Digital Centre in Kado, Abuja.
The conference is expected to feature presentations from over 46 research groups, showcasing the impact of the NBTE MOC training in enhancing teaching, research, and innovation capacity across Nigerian polytechnics.
“The Abuja conference will be a landmark event. It will demonstrate the impact of this training on research output, knowledge sharing, and technology adoption in our polytechnics,” Bugaje added.
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