Why Turning Polytechnics into Universities May Be a Wrong Move

As the Nigerian government works to expand access to higher education in Nigeria, one strategy being considered is the conversion of polytechnics into universities. On the surface, this appears to be a step forward. However, education experts caution that it is a perilous path that could erode the country’s technical foundation and harm the economy in the long run. Over the past few years, both federal and state governments have converted more than 20 polytechnics and colleges of education into full-fledged universities. Some of these include Yaba College of Technology, Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Abia State Polytechnic, Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, and Kaduna State Polytechnic.

Polytechnics were initially established to train students in technical and practical skills, producing technicians, technologists, and artisans who drive industries, repair machines, and build infrastructure. Nevertheless, with the rush to turn them into universities, stakeholders are warning that Nigeria may be killing its source of skilled manpower.

Isaac Agenyi, the chief executive of Moto Business Services Nigeria, stated that the conversion is “potentially dangerous” to the nation’s economic growth if not handled with care.

“Polytechnics focus on practical training, engineering, ICT, agriculture, and fabrication. Turning them into theory-driven universities will reduce the number of skilled workers and create a mismatch between what the economy needs and what graduates can do,” he warned.

Agenyi added that the move would further discourage young people from pursuing technical careers, while sending a message that polytechnic education is inferior to university degrees. “This devalues technical education and will worsen unemployment,” he said.

He pointed out that countries like Germany and South Korea built strong economies through well-funded technical and vocational systems, not by sidelining them. According to him, converting polytechnics without upgrading facilities or retraining staff will only create poor-quality universities and erase the hands-on focus Nigeria needs.

Kelvin Bob-Manuel, a marketing communications strategist at West Africa Vocational Education, shares this view. He said the conversion reflects the long-standing bias that university education is superior. “By turning polytechnics into universities, we will end up producing more paper-qualified graduates but fewer technicians and innovators,” he said.

Bob-Manuel urged the government to reform polytechnics instead — upgrade their facilities, update their curriculum, and raise their status to equal that of universities. “Let’s stop chasing prestige and focus on purpose,” he said.

However, not everyone agrees. Ashley Abiodun-Dejo, a former lecturer at Yaba College of Technology, believes the change is not dangerous. “Polytechnics will still exist; they can award BTech degrees and continue producing skilled graduates,” he argued.

However, as debates continue, one question remains: in a country struggling with unemployment and poor infrastructure, can Nigeria really afford to lose its technical schools?