The Senate at its plenary session of Tuesday, 22 May 2018, passed amendments to the Federal Polytechnic Act aimed at enhancing the quality of learning in polytechnics and fostering employment for its graduates in the job market.

Presenting the report on the Bill, Sen. Jibrin Barau, Chairman Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund stated that the proposed amendments to the Principal Act focused on:

• The Functions of Polytechnics;
• The Structures of the Governing Board;
• The Academic Board;
• The Management; and
• The Tenure of Principal Officers.

Sen. Barau informed lawmakers that the Committee had conducted a public hearing on the bill to avail key stakeholders the opportunity to make input on the proposed legislation. He stated that both the oral and written submissions of stakeholders at the public hearing were in support of the Bill’s objectives.

Furthermore, Sen. Barau mentioned that the proposed amendment intends to realign the laws that establish Federal Polytechnics with those establishing Federal Universities as a means of unifying the operations of institutions of higher learning in Nigeria. He also highlighted that 9 new polytechnics had been included in the Federal Polytechnics Act Amendment Bill.

Lastly, he urged passage of the Bill on grounds that it would improve the efficiency and functionality of Federal Polytechnics in Nigeria.

Click here to view the full report of the Committee.