Nigerian Polytechnics must take its place
The Polytechnic is an institution of higher learning offering a range of professional vocational and technical courses. In essence, it proves a breeding ground for people who create and champion country’s vocational and technological development. Polytechnic institution is not just peculiar to Nigeria. There are polytechnics in many countries of the world. The difference, however, lies in the status and mandate it represents. The British higher education, for instance, started off as polytechnics. However, after the passage of the Further Higher Education Act in 1992, some of the polytechnics assumed the ‘university’ title, which means “they were made full-fledged universities and awarded degrees.” The designation ‘polytechnics’ was therefore less used. The result, however, was the dichotomy between the two educational institutions (university and polytechnics), just as it is here. The British called it the “Binary Divide.” Like in many countries, the major aim of polytechnic i