Nigerian cannot develop without polytechnics — educationist

The Nigerian government must ensure that polytechnics across the country are well equipped to carry out their functions properly because no nation can develop without them.

Dr. Olakanmi Alo, founder of the privately owned Interlink Polytechnic, Ijebu-Jesa in Osun State, said this in a

Alo said attention must be paid to the role of polytechnic in the development chain.

"When we talk about development, we are making reference to human development; manpower and technology development.

"In this case, we cannot rule out the contribution of polytechnic education in the technological advancement process in any country. Here, we are talking about application of scientific theories and principles.

"Application of theories and principles of science and technologies make polytechnic education differ from university education," Alo said.

The educationist warned that failure to give the required attention to polytechnics would mean forfeiting development.

"In fact, without polytechnic education, no nation can develop.

"If the Nigerian government would develop and equip the polytechnic institutions in the country with what it requires to produce and supply skilful technologists in all areas of science and other fields, the development would go a long way to boost our development trend in all ramifications."

He also added his voice to the debate about the inferiority of polytechnic certificated to their university counterparts.

According to him none is inferior to the

"I do not understand why some Nigerians still feel that polytechnic education is inferior to university education.

"There is no basis for the discrimination."

The polytechnic versus university debate has been a recurrent in the Nigerian education sector, even as many are speaking against the existing dichotomy that exists between the two.