The Minister of Education, Dr Moruf Alausa, on Wednesday, called on Nigerian graduates to deploy their acquired skills and knowledge to address the myriad of challenges hindering national development.
Alausa insisted that the federal government remain committed to addressing the perennial challenge of the Higher National Diploma/Degree dichotomy through several reforms, including efforts to strengthen polytechnics as degree-awarding institutions.
The Minister disclosed that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on education remains on course and would spare no effort to consolidate efforts to strengthen the education sector and enhance national productivity.
Alausa, represented by the Director of Polytechnic and Allied Institutions, Mrs. Igwe Amy, stated this on Wednesday during the 23rd convocation of the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, now Federal University of Technology.
Rejoicing with the graduands, the Minister said, “I firmly believe that with your skills and determination, you can be part of the solution.
“As you embark on the next stage, be bold, innovative, and entrepreneurial. Harness your skills to drive positive change and represent Nigeria with pride”.
He added that it is also instructive to remind Nigerians that the renewed hope agenda for education is on course.
Alusa explained that President Tinubu’s administration is increasingly focused on consolidating the education sector and making technical and vocational education training a pivot for promoting productivity and propulsive development.
He stated, “In order to achieve this, several legacy projects and reforms have been introduced to revitalize the system, most especially the tertiary education, and these include the newly revised curriculum scheduled to take effect in the 2025-2026 academic session.
“The new curriculum has now reduced the number of subjects to be done in primary and secondary schools to promote deeper learning, mandatory vocational skill learning, and the introduction of new vocational subjects, including solar PV installation and robotics.
“Strengthening existing measures aimed at addressing the HND degree dichotomy and working out reforms towards ensuring that polytechnics are also able to be in a position to award degrees.
The Minister called on the graduands to reflect on how to take advantage of the sundry opportunities of the Renewed Hope Agenda and assert their roles in Nigeria’s development project, even as they continue to be proud ambassadors of their institutions and nation.
Speaking earlier, the acting Vice Chancellor of the institution, Dr Mikhail Akinde, said that the convocation produced 8713 graduands, out of which 3,067 received Higher National Diplomas in various disciplines, while the remaining 5646 earned Ordinary National Diplomas.
Akinde said that 201 HND graduates finished with Distinctions, while 281 OND graduates also finished top of their studies.
While Fadiran Boluwatife Enitan from the Science and Laboratory Technology with a CGPA of 3.97 emerged as the overall best graduating student among HND graduates, Tijani Boluwatife Oluwaseyi of the Animal Health and Production Technology Department, with a CGPA of 3.93, emerged as the best graduating ND student.
The convocation also featured the presentation of fellowship awards of the institution to Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda, the governor of Kano State, Gov Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rasheed Ladoja, the Alake and paramount ruler of Egba land, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, as well as Mr. Sotayo Olugbenga Sonuga, the CEO of Haven Homes, an alumnus of this great Institution.
