Education
Why we attach importance to skill acquisition for our students – Pioneer Rector, Federal Poly, Ayede
Pioneer Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Oyo State, Dr. Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed in this interview with Mega Icon Magazine, shares his experience on the journey so far in the past two years as well as his vision for the fastest growing polytechnic, among its peers established in 2021, by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The University of Ilorin trained Electrical Engineer maintained that the institution would thrive on innovation, skills, functional education, and international partnerships.
Excerpts :
As the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, how would you describe the journey so far in the past two years?
First and foremost, we give thanks to God almighty. There have been so many challenges, really. We just have to thank God because most of the challenges have been surmounted one by one and gradually. We also know that Rome was not built in a day. Pioneering a new institution is like being thrown into a bush without a path or compass. You have to be the one to find your way, create your path, design your compass, and find your bearings. It was actually like that, but all the same, we thank God for where we are.
The stage so far might seem not significant to some, but if you compare us with other Polytechnics established at the same time, we can say we are faring very well in terms of manpower, infrastructural development, and in terms of student admission.
To a large extent, we are far better than many of our contemporaries. The summary is that the journey has been so challenging. Like they say, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. We are trying our best, and we hope in the upcoming years, the result will be more manifested than what we have currently.
Very recently, you said the polytechnic is determined on producing functional and active employers of labour after graduation. Can you share your vision for the institution with us?
The vision is still intact. You see there is this saying, being propagated by the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) Prof. Bugaje, “Skills not degrees”. Looking at what is trending in the advanced world, the emphasis is on skills, digital skills, and other soft skills even more than degrees. Until we can focus on skill acquisition, sincerely yours, Nigeria might not get out of the teething unemployment challenges.
Recently, NBTE and TETFUND organised a seminar for Rectors and Directors of Entrepreneurship Development in various Federal Polytechnics in Nigeria. It gladdens my heart to inform you that a sum of one hundred and thirty million Naira (N130M) has been approved for each of the Federal Polytechnic, specifically to strengthen skills acquisition initiatives.
What are the strategies you intend to deploy to achieve the set of skills development at the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede?
When you talk about skill acquisition, it is not theoretical stuff but built around vocation. It is not the volume of grammar spoken or the quantum of equations one can solve. It is about what you can do with your hands, and this is what matters now.
Sir, you invited the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for the accreditation process with the presentation of thirteen courses, but only four were successfully accredited. Are there plans for other courses to be accredited any time soon?
Thank you! You need to understand that he who does not dare will never conquer. That was the story of the accreditation programme. We aimed very high, presenting thirteen courses. The presentation afforded us the opportunity of knowing what constitutes our strengths and weaknesses for the other eight not accredited courses. The report afforded us that auspicious opportunity, and we have left where they met us then. We believed by the time they come back again they will meet us readily improved.
How would you appraise the presence of the institution in this community and Ogbomoso in general?
Of course, when there is an institution in any community, it will bring about development. Despite the presence of this Polytechnic at the temporary campus, in Iresa-Pupa, the community is already benefiting in terms of patronage, economic boost, and exposure. The students and staff are already renting accommodation, as community members are also bearing witness to this development.
Even at the permanent sites, development is already springing up. Very recently, the then Council Chairman, Professor Dakas C. J. Dakas (SAN) led us to the permanent site. We have not less than eight structures already at various levels of completion. Certainly, after the completion, the community will experience development and economic boom.
Assuming it’s matriculation, what will be your message to the matriculants?
The motto of the school is Learning Dexterity and Moral. Learning is a continuous process and each student must devote themselves to learning to be useful. Dexterity is about skill acquisition that must be developed and improved upon steadily, while morality must be guided to be useful to society. A morally bankrupt person, whatever the volume of the knowledge, cannot be a useful member of any society.
That is why our focus is on learning blended with useful skills guarded by morality. My belief is, by God’s grace, before any student graduates from this Polytechnic, he or she must have developed and perfected at least two major skills.
Sir, looking into the crystal ball, in the next 5 years where would you place the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede?
By God’s grace, Federal Polytechnic, Ayede will stand unique among its peers and even, among older ones. Except for trying to be modest, our achievements, for instance, accessing TETFund interventions are outstanding compared to even older institutions. The polytechnic will thrive on innovation, skills, functional education, and international partnerships. Hopefully, in the next five years, this Polytechnic will be a positive point of reference.
(c) Mega Icon Magazine
No fewer than 2,243,816 candidates on Thursday commenced the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board across accredited Computer-Based Test centres nationwide.
The figure represents a 10.5 per cent increase from the 2.03 million candidates recorded in 2025.
The examination, which began on April 16, is being conducted in about 1,000 CBT centres nationwide, with candidates scheduled in four daily sessions to reduce congestion and improve verification processes.
The board said it had deployed biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems to safeguard the integrity of the exercise, noting that candidates whose biometric details could not be authenticated would be rescheduled.
Candidates were advised to print their examination slips from the JAMB portal to confirm their schedules and arrive at least one hour before their examination time.
Under the revised timetable, first-session candidates are expected at 7:00 a.m., followed by 9:00 a.m. for the second session, 11:00 a.m. for the third session, and 2:00 p.m. for the final session.
JAMB disclosed that Lagos State recorded the highest number of registered candidates with 381,814, followed by Ogun with 137,156 and Oyo with 122,662. Kaduna recorded 103,498 candidates, while the Federal Capital Territory had 102,961.
Other states include Rivers with 105,584 candidates and Kano with 83,167, while Borno and Zamfara recorded the lowest figures with 13,483 and 14,861 candidates respectively.
Outside Nigeria, participation remained low, with Côte d’Ivoire recording 32 candidates, followed by Equatorial Guinea with 16, Burkina Faso with 14, and the United Kingdom with 12 candidates.
As part of efforts to enhance efficiency, the board increased the number of CBT centres but delisted 23 centres across several states, including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Delta, Edo, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory, over technical deficiencies observed during the mock examination.
The board said the action was necessary to maintain operational standards and ensure the credibility of the examination process.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force dismissed reports of insecurity at some centres, describing such claims as unfounded.
The police said it had deployed additional personnel, including patrol teams, perimeter surveillance units and rapid response squads, to ensure the safety of candidates nationwide.
The force added that it was collaborating with other security agencies to monitor the exercise and respond swiftly to any threats.
It assured parents and candidates of adequate security, urging candidates to comply with examination guidelines, arrive early and report suspicious activities.
The police also advised the public to disregard unverified information on social media and rely on official communication channels.
JAMB reiterated its commitment to transparency, warning candidates against accepting admissions outside its Central Admissions Processing System.
It stressed that any admission conducted outside CAPS would be considered illegal and would not be recognised.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has delisted 23 Computer-Based Test centres nationwide following technical deficiencies recorded during the 2026 mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
The Board disclosed this in a bulletin issued on Friday and signed by its Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, as preparations intensify for the 2026 UTME scheduled to hold across the country from April 16 to April 25.
According to JAMB, the mock examination was designed to assess operational readiness and identify centres that failed to meet the required technical standards.
“Following the conduct of the 2026 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, the Board has delisted 23 Computer-Based Test centres for technical deficiencies,” the statement read.
The Board added that several centres with minor issues had been placed on notice, warning that continued non-compliance could lead to further sanctions. It also stated that one centre would no longer be used for any of its examinations.
JAMB disclosed that a total of 2,243,816 candidates registered for the 2026 UTME, with Lagos recording 321,814 candidates, Kaduna 303,498, the Federal Capital Territory 302,963, and Ogun 137,156.
To improve accessibility and logistics, the Board said it increased the number of approved examination centres to 1,000 nationwide, up from fewer than 800 in 2025.
However, an internal review conducted after the mock exercise revealed that some centres failed to meet operational and technical benchmarks, prompting their removal from the approved list.
The delisting followed reports of widespread technical glitches during the mock examination, including network failures, system malfunctions and delayed commencement of tests in several locations. Some candidates and parents also complained about hours-long waiting periods at affected centres.
The affected centres are located in Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo and Plateau states.
Among the delisted centres are Micben Seat of Wisdom Academy, Ukwa West, Abia; Bishop Crowther Seminary CBT Centre, Awka, and The Oracle Lens, Nnokwa, Anambra; Derby’s Young ICT Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa; Avid ICT Solutions CBT Centre, Asaba, Delta; and Daniet Global Resources CBT Centre, Benin City, Edo.
Others include De-Lite CBT Centre, Maitama, Abuja; Florin High School CBT Centre, Ejigbo; Folbob CBT Centre, Lakowe; Great Kezino College CBT Centre, Ikorodu; Obans CBT Centre, Ikorodu; and Teesas Learning and CBT Centre, Lekki, all in Lagos.
Also affected are Braingate Model Schools CBT Centre, Arepo, and Greenhills Academy CBT Centre, Itele, Ogun State; Oduduwa University CBT Centre, Ile-Ife, Osun State; Lasting Glory Schools CBT Centre, Ibadan; Nesam International School CBT Centre, Ibadan; SAF Polytechnic CBT Centre, Iseyin, Oyo State; and Rabjib Computer Academy, Jos, Plateau State.
JAMB stated that the decision formed part of efforts to safeguard the integrity of its examination process and ensure that only centres that meet its operational requirements are used for the main UTME.
The Board assured candidates that necessary measures had been put in place to ensure a smooth conduct of the examination nationwide.
The Federal Polytechnic Ayede on Thursday matriculated no fewer than 705 students for the 2025/2026 academic session, with the management warning the newly admitted candidates against cultism, examination malpractice and other social vices capable of truncating their academic pursuits.
The Acting Rector of the institution, Dr. Azeez Olasunkanmi Ojo, disclosed this during the Polytechnic’s fourth matriculation ceremony held at its temporary site in Iresa-Pupa, Oyo State.
Ojo described the ceremony as a historic milestone for both the institution and the new students, noting that the matriculation marked their formal admission into an academic community built on knowledge, innovation and character.
“It is with great pleasure and a deep sense of responsibility that I welcome you to this fourth matriculation ceremony. This event signifies your formal admission into a community committed to knowledge, innovation, character and excellence,” he said.
The acting rector urged the students to remain focused and take advantage of the opportunities available to them, stressing that discipline and dedication were critical to their success.
He added, “You must take your academic work seriously and uphold the values of learning, dexterity and sound moral conduct. Avoid cultism, examination malpractice and drug abuse, as these vices can jeopardise your future and cut short your dreams.”
Representing the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Prof. Idris Bugaje, the South-West Zonal Director, Elder Ayo Aroge, commended the management of the Polytechnic for its steady growth.
He charged the newly admitted students to embrace the Federal Government’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training initiative to acquire practical skills and become job creators.
“Technical and vocational education remains a viable pathway to self-reliance. I urge you to exploit this opportunity and equip yourselves with relevant skills that will make you employers of labour,” Aroge said.
Ojo also paid tribute to the pioneer Rector, Engr. Dr. Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed, for laying what he described as a solid foundation for the institution’s growth and development.
He further disclosed that the Federal Government had approved a 20-kilometre road project to improve access to the Polytechnic’s permanent site in Ayede, Ogo-Oluwa Local Government Area.
According to him, the road will run from Idi Araba Junction to the institution’s permanent site and extend to the Oolo community in Oriire Local Government Area, including internal access roads within the campus. The don lauded the federal government for what he described as timely intervention.
“Addressing access challenges will significantly enhance our relocation efforts and accelerate infrastructural and academic development,” he said.
The acting rector appealed to stakeholders, corporate organisations, alumni and philanthropists to partner with the institution to achieve sustainable growth.
He also appreciated parents and guardians for entrusting their wards to the Polytechnic, assuring them that the students would be groomed into responsible and productive members of society.
“Dear matriculating students, this is your beginning. Stay focused, work diligently and strive for excellence. The future is yours to shape,” he added.
Dignitaries at the event included the Aresa-Pupa of Iresa-Pupa, Oba Moses Olayiwola; the Registrar, Mrs. Bukola Elizabeth Dairo; the Bursar, Mr. Oluwaseyi Abiola Afolabi, represented by Deputy Bursar, Mr. Lukman Buari; and Acting Polytechnic Librarian, Mr. Dare Samuel Adeleke, among other principal officers, staff and students.
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