The Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Oyo State, has intensified efforts to align with the Federal Government’s skills-based education policy by training its academic and non-academic staff on the implementation of the National Skills Qualification (NSQ), Nigerian Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) and Mandatory Skills Qualification (MSQ).
The capacity-building workshop, organised in collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and JACL Consulting, was held at the institution’s Centre for Vocational, Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, NDE Model Skills Centre, Onipaanu, Ogbomoso.
The training is part of the Polytechnic’s broader strategy to deepen competency-based education and ensure that its graduates leave school with practical and industry-relevant skills capable of improving their employability and entrepreneurial prospects.
The institution had earlier organised a similar exercise for students, a move that reinforces its commitment to preparing both staff and learners for the seamless implementation of the Federal Government’s national skills certification policy.
Declaring the workshop open, the Acting Rector, Dr. Morufat Adepoju, described the National Skills Qualifications Framework as a game-changing initiative that would bridge the long-standing gap between classroom learning and industry expectations.
According to her, the framework will produce graduates equipped with practical competencies required to meet the demands of a fast-changing economy while strengthening Nigeria’s technical and vocational education system.
Adepoju expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Hon. Yakubu Dati, and the Federal Government for their continued support for the institution. She also commended the Executive Secretary of the NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, for driving reforms aimed at repositioning technical education in the country.
She equally acknowledged the contributions of the pioneer Rector, Dr. Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, and other pioneer principal officers, noting that the institution was building on the solid foundation they laid.
Explaining the significance of the initiative, the Don said the National Skills Qualifications Framework provides a nationally recognised system for assessing and certifying occupational knowledge, technical competence and practical skills across various sectors of the economy.
She added that the framework would not only improve the quality of technical education but also reduce unemployment by equipping graduates with hands-on skills capable of stimulating entrepreneurship, wealth creation and national development.
”The NSQ provides the compass we desperately need as a nation seeking to equip its workforce with relevant competencies for national growth and global competitiveness,” Adepoju said.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Acting Director of the Centre for Vocational, Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, Mr. Oluwaseun Owojori, said the workshop was organised to prepare members of staff for the effective implementation of the NSQ, NSQF and MSQ in line with NBTE guidelines.
He stressed that the success of the Federal Government’s skills development agenda would depend largely on the preparedness of institutions and their personnel to deliver quality competency-based education. Owojori thanked the Acting Rector, management, principal officers and participants for their support, while appreciating the resource persons for facilitating the training.
One of the facilitators, the Acting Director, South-West Zone of the NBTE, Dr. John Onyebuchi, urged participants to embrace skills acquisition, describing practical competence as a vital asset in today’s economy. “I encourage everyone to acquire a skill because skills are the driving force in today’s economy, not money,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr. Julius Ayodele of JACL Consulting encouraged both academic and non-academic staff to participate actively in entrepreneurship and vocational development programmes.
He said continuous skills acquisition would improve professional competence, enhance productivity and open up wider career opportunities, expressing optimism that the workshop would promote innovation and practical learning across the Polytechnic.
The workshop attracted principal officers of the institution, including the Registrar, Mr. Akinlolu Akinpade, represented by the Director of SERVICOM and Deputy Registrar (Council Affairs and Establishment), Mr. Kolapo Olatinwo; the Bursar, Mr. Mufutau Alao, represented by Deputy Bursar, Mr. Lukman Buhari; and the Acting Polytechnic Librarian, Mr. Dare Samuel Adeleke, represented by Dr. Halimat Amuda, Coordinator of Women in Technical Education and Development.
