The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics ( ASUP) on Sunday said establishment of National Polytechnics Commission would bring about better regulation of polytechnic education in Nigeria.
According to a statement signed by comrade Shammah kpanja, president of ASUPS he said the proposed commission which is awaiting final reading at the House of Representatives would align with the practice in the other two tertiary education sub-sectors in the country.
Comrade Kpanja further said move to create a commission to regulate technical and vocational education in the country, a role that is within the purview of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) is mere change of name without the desired impact on the regulation of Polytechnics in Nigeria.
He said With the exponential growth in the number and profile of Polytechnics over the past 4 decades, as well as the explosion in the numbers of institutions under the regulatory
regime of the NBTE, ASUP has been making demands for the establishment of a separate Commission to regulate the tertiary education institutions found in the current mix of over 700 institutions under the NBTE.
The statement reads, “We have been reading reports from different media outlets on the establishment of a
Commission to regulate technical and vocational education in the country.
“This role is currently within the purview of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) established since 1977. Nigerian Polytechnics (and Monotechnics) represent the tertiary education institutions under the regulation of the NBTE.
With the exponential growth in the number and profile of Polytechnics over the past 4 decades, as well as the explosion in the numbers of institutions under the regulatory
regime of the NBTE, our Union has been making demands (and rightfully so) for the establishment of a separate Commission to regulate the tertiary education institutions found in the current mix of over 700 institutions under the NBTE.
“This will not only ensure improved regulation of these tertiary institutions, but also align with the practice in the other two tertiary education sub-sectors in the country.
“We therefore threw our weight in support of the recent efforts of the National Assembly to establish a National Polytechnics Commission through a bill in the House of Representatives (SB 673) sponsored by Hon. Idu Igariwey.
“This effort is coming after several failed legislative efforts in the past on same subject.
“The bill is currently awaiting its final reading and passage at the House of Representatives after stakeholders expressed their full support for the bill during the public hearing in August, 2024.
“Moreso, the bill had the support of the Federal Ministry of Education as the establishment of the Commission is clearly captured in the approved Road Map for the Education sector covering 2024 to 2027.
“We are therefore surprised to read of moves to establish a Commission for technical education.
‘We view this as a mere change of name without the desired impact on the regulation of Polytechnics in Nigeria.
“We also see this as self-serving and a distraction capable of undermining the laudable efforts of the House of Representatives on same subject.
Our Union is therefore reiterating our support for the unbundling of the current mixture of institutions under the NBTE and the extraction of tertiary institutions from the mix to a dedicated Commission for effective regulation.
“This is the noble aim of the bill currently before the National Assembly and it is important to make this clarification.
We shall equally explore all acceptable avenue to bring this to fruition for the benefit of Nigeria.
“The Federal Ministry of Education should equally maintain a consistent position on issues of this nature having supported the bill during the public hearing and avoid the distraction of a “mere change of name”
Global jobs gap hits 402 million as economic recovery stalls -ILO Report
The International Labour Organization’s World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2025 report, has revealed an alarming global jobs gap, with the number of people seeking work but unable to find it reaching a staggering 402 million in 2024.
According to ILO, the figure underscores the deepening challenges for labour markets worldwide.
The jobs gap includes 186 million unemployed individuals, 137 million temporarily unavailable for work, and 79 million discouraged workers who have stopped searching altogether. While the gap has narrowed since the pandemic, progress is stalling, raising concerns about long-term economic stability and social cohesion.
Economic growth slowed to 3.2 percent in 2024, a marginal drop from previous years, but the pressures on labour markets remain severe. Youth unemployment showed no improvement, sticking at a worrying 12.6 percent. Informal work and working poverty, while back to pre-pandemic levels, highlight the ongoing struggles faced by low-income countries, where creating decent jobs remains a formidable task.
The report also sheds light on rising NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) rates, particularly in low-income nations. In 2024, 20.4 percent of young men and 37 percent of young women were classified as NEET, representing millions left out of both the workforce and education systems.
Globally, NEET rates rose by over 2 million from the previous year, with young women disproportionately affected.
Despite these sobering trends, the ILO identifies opportunities for growth in green and digital sectors. Renewable energy jobs, which have surged to 16.2 million worldwide, offer a glimpse of hope but are unevenly distributed, with nearly half concentrated in East Asia. Similarly, digital technologies present significant potential, but a lack of infrastructure and skills in many countries limits their reach.
ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo emphasized the urgency of addressing the jobs gap to prevent further economic and social strain. He called for investments in education, infrastructure, and skills training, alongside expanded social protection to support those most vulnerable. “Decent work is not only essential for economic growth but is also the cornerstone of social justice and a sustainable future,” Houngbo said.
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