Experts charge polytechnics to lead Nigerian tech needs

Nigerian Polytechnics have been reportedly charged to lead the technological needs of the country.

According to the Nation, the vocational tertiary institutions were challenged at an international conference by experts who attended the event.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the National Office for Technological Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Mallam Adamu, who was represented by a Director in the Ministry, I.O. Folorunso praised Nigerian polytechnics for maintaining a high standard in offering technology-based education.

He, however, insisted that Nigerian polytechnics have to convert their inventions and patents for commercial use.

Federal Polytechnic, Nekede. ece-auto-gen

Another speaker, Professor Mbarika of the Information and Communication Technology University, Louisiana, USA, while speaking at the event urged Africans to shift attention to the good things the continent could boast of the Nation reports.

He said, ''we must cease to focus on Africa as the content of corruption, debt, dictatorship, terrible diseases, poverty and illiteracy. Yes, we do have these things here and there in Africa. But I have lived in the United States for decades and travelled across all continents. They also have these problems in large dimensions but they focus on their positives. So let us focus on things like our efficacious traditional medicine, natural resources, huge population (markets), agricultural potential and skilled manpower''.

Recall that the National Board for Technical Education recently rated the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede as the best polytechnic in Nigeria.