The recent decision to upgrade Kaduna Polytechnic into a federal university has renewed public discussion about the need to strengthen techn...
The recent decision to upgrade Kaduna Polytechnic into a federal university has renewed public discussion about the need to strengthen technical and vocational education in Nigeria. While this development represents a significant change in the country's educational landscape, it also presents an opportunity for the Federal Government to consider the status of other important institutions that have contributed to human capital development over the years.
One such institution is Nuhu Bamalli
Polytechnic, Zaria, Kaduna State.
Established to provide technical,
vocational and professional education, Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic has played an
important role in training students in various fields and preparing them for
employment, entrepreneurship and other contributions to national development.
However, the institution deserves
renewed attention regarding its funding, infrastructure, academic development
and long-term sustainability. Upgrading it to a Federal Polytechnic would be a
meaningful step towards addressing some of these challenges, subject to the
necessary assessment and approval by the Federal Government.
Technical and vocational education
remains essential to Nigeria's economic development. As the country continues
to seek solutions to unemployment, skills shortages and economic challenges,
polytechnics have an important role to play in producing graduates with
practical knowledge and professional competence.
Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic can
contribute even more to this national objective if it receives stronger
institutional support, improved facilities and greater opportunities for
academic expansion.
Federal status could create a
pathway to improved access to federal funding and development programmes,
subject to applicable policies and budgetary provisions. Such support could
help strengthen laboratories, workshops, libraries, classrooms and other
essential facilities required for effective technical education.
The demand for affordable and accessible
higher education continues to grow across Nigeria. For many young people in
Kaduna State and neighbouring communities, institutions such as Nuhu Bamalli
Polytechnic provide an important opportunity to acquire knowledge and
professional skills without travelling far from home.
Upgrading the institution to a
Federal Polytechnic could create opportunities for further development,
although the actual benefits would depend on the funding arrangements,
admission policies and implementation framework adopted by the Federal
Government.
Beyond expanding educational
opportunities, a stronger institution could support entrepreneurship,
innovation and the development of skills relevant to industries and local
businesses.
The Federal Government has a
responsibility to consider the broader needs of Nigeria's educational
institutions while pursuing reforms and expanding access to quality education.
The recent development involving
Kaduna Polytechnic provides an opportunity to review the needs of other
institutions in the region, including Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria.
This appeal is not based on the
argument that every institution must automatically receive the same status.
Rather, it is a call for a fair, transparent and evidence-based assessment of
Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic's contributions, needs, capacity and future potential.
Given its role in technical
education and its importance to communities in Kaduna State and beyond, the
institution deserves serious consideration in the Federal Government's plans
for educational development.
As the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and a prominent representative of the people of Zaria, Rt. Hon.
Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, has an important role to play in advancing the
educational aspirations of his constituents.
His position provides an opportunity
to bring this proposal to the attention of the relevant federal authorities and
advocate for a thorough consideration of Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic's conversion
to a Federal Polytechnic.
We therefore respectfully call on
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen to use his legislative position, influence and
experience to champion this cause in the interest of students, parents,
education stakeholders and the wider Zaria community.
This appeal is not merely about
changing the name or ownership structure of an institution. It is about
creating better opportunities for young people, strengthening technical
education and ensuring that an institution with significant potential receives
the attention it deserves.
As a representative of the people,
the Speaker can help facilitate constructive engagement among the Federal
Government, the Kaduna State Government, the institution's management and other
relevant stakeholders towards achieving this objective.
His support could also help bring
the proposal into broader discussions on federal educational planning,
institutional development and the equitable distribution of educational
opportunities.
The Federal Government, under the
leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is urged to consider the possibility
of upgrading Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria, to a Federal Polytechnic.
We also call on Speaker Abbas
Tajudeen to champion the proposal and engage the appropriate federal
authorities on behalf of the people of Zaria.
The Kaduna State Government, under
Governor Uba Sani, traditional institutions, education stakeholders, alumni,
community leaders and other concerned citizens should equally support
constructive engagement on the matter.
Such efforts should be accompanied
by a clear assessment of the institution's infrastructure, student population,
academic programmes, funding requirements and long-term development objectives.
A well-planned transition, if
approved, would help ensure that the proposed upgrade delivers sustainable
benefits to students, staff and the wider community.
Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria,
represents an important part of Kaduna State's educational heritage and its
future human capital development.
At a time when Nigeria is seeking to
strengthen technical education, improve employability and promote skills-based
economic growth, the institution deserves renewed attention and a clear
development pathway.
The call for its conversion to a
Federal Polytechnic is therefore an appeal for greater institutional support,
wider educational opportunities and a stronger contribution to national
development.
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen is
respectfully called upon to take up this cause as a representative of the
people of Zaria, while the Federal Government is urged to give the proposal
serious consideration.
With the collective support of
political leaders, traditional institutions, education stakeholders and the
community, this aspiration can become part of a constructive conversation about
the future of technical and vocational education in Nigeria.
The time has come to give Nuhu
Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria, the attention it deserves and to consider its
conversion to a Federal Polytechnic in the interest of educational advancement,
equal opportunity and national development.
Muazu Abubakar Albarkawa is a
journalist and public analyst
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