President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said Nigeria must prioritise skills acquisition and technical education to drive economic growth and empower young people, stressing that academic certificates alone can no longer guarantee success.
Tinubu stated this on Saturday at the combined convocation ceremony and 70th anniversary celebration of Kaduna Polytechnic in Kaduna.
Represented by the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, the president said Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) remains central to Nigeria’s economic recovery and job creation.
“The era of relying solely on academic certificates is over,” he said, urging graduates to embrace entrepreneurship, innovation and practical skills needed in a rapidly changing global economy.
According to him, the Federal Government is strengthening educational institutions through programmes designed to promote innovation, enterprise and youth self-reliance.
He cited initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the Students’ Venture Initiative as part of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at expanding opportunities for young Nigerians.
Tinubu also urged the institution’s management to harness digital technology to improve teaching and learning outcomes and enhance global competitiveness.
In his remarks, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education and skills development.
The governor announced plans to construct a modern theatre and improve access roads across the institution’s campuses. He also donated N50 million towards the convocation activities and commissioned a new lecture theatre complex.
Sani called on alumni associations, private organisations and other stakeholders to support educational development nationwide.
Earlier, the Rector of the polytechnic, Suleiman Umar, said the institution remains focused on producing graduates equipped to create jobs and solve societal problems.
He disclosed that 60,803 students graduated between the 2015/2016 and 2024/2025 academic sessions, including 1,725 distinctions, 13,920 upper credits, 35,127 lower credits, 9,856 passes and 175 certificate awards.
Chairman of the Governing Council, Oluwakemi Pinheiro, urged graduates to prioritise value creation and entrepreneurship, announcing scholarships for 152 students funded from his personal allowances.
Meanwhile, the Registrar, Muhammad Tanimu, announced the conferment of fellowships on several Nigerians, including Education Minister Tunji Alausa, Hadiza Bala Usman, Governor Uba Sani and the Emir of Zazzau, Nuhu Bamalli.
