Attending a polytechnic may not be the first choice for most young Nigerians in regards to attending higher education; University almost always comes first. However, polytechnics remains an important facet of the Nigerian higher educational system and is vital in preparing Nigerian youths for a future career.
Polytechnics are distinct from universities in that they focus more on technical skills. There are many polytechnics in Nigeria and each offers various courses under various departments. In terms of excellence, the National Board for Technology Education (NBTE) has ranked the polytechnics in Nigeria. The following are the top ten.
1. Federal Polytechnic Nekede
The number one university in Nigeria according to NBTE, is the Federal Polytechnic Nekede located in Nekede, Owerri West LGA, Imo State. It was established in 1978 and offers National Diploma and Higher National Diploma courses. The Federal Polytechnic Nekede is home to several faculties, under which there are a vast number of departments.
They have seven faculties including:
- School of Engineering Technology (SET)
- School of Industrial and Applied Science (SIAS)
- School of Business and Management Technology (SBMT)
- School of General Studies (SGS)
- School of Environmental Design and Technology (SEDT)
- School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT)
- School of Information and Communication Technology (SICT)
2. Federal Polytechnic Ilaro
Located in Ogun State, the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro is one of the best polytechnics in Nigeria and is renowned for providing quality education to students. They have 6 faculties and offer various academic programs under each. The 6 faculties include the School of Engineering, School of Management Studies, School of Environmental Studies, School of Applied Science, School of Information Communication and Technology (SCIT), and School of Part-time Studies.
3. Kaduna Polytechnic
Located in the Tudun Wada area of Kaduna South LGA, Kaduna State, the Kaduna Polytechnic is one of the oldest polytechnics in Nigeria. It was established in 1956 and offers ND and HND courses.
They have 6 faculties under which there are various departments. They include:
- College of Business and Management Studies (CBMS)
- College of Environmental Studies (CES)
- College of Engineering (COE)
- College of Science and Technology (CST)
- College of Administrative Studies and Social Sciences (CASSS)
- College of Technical and Vocational Education (CTVE)
4. The Polytechnic Ibadan
The Polytechnic, Ibadan, often known as Poly Ibadan, is located in Ibadan, Oyo State. Poly Ibadan, which was established in August 1970, is comparable to other polytechnics in Nigeria. The establishment of the university aimed to provide a different approach to higher education, emphasizing the acquisition of technical skills that set it apart from conventional colleges.
In addition to providing skill training to the neighbourhood, the vocational and skills acquisition centre seeks to ensure that students learn a skill before graduation. The Yoruba proverb “Ise loogun ise,” which translates to “Work is the antidote for poverty,” is another well-known feature of Poly Ibadan. It emphasizes that working hard is the path out of poverty.
To help technical and commercial personnel become more skilled in their chosen fields, the institution provides a broad selection of specialized short courses. Graduates of Poly Ibadan are awarded several professional certifications in addition to the Ordinary National Diploma (OND), Higher National Diploma (HND), and Post Graduate Diploma (PGD).
Additionally, it offers chances for original research and development about the demands of education, business, and industry.
The Polytechnic offers National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes in the following faculties:
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Sciences
- Faculty of Environmental Studies
- Faculty of Financial And Management Studies
- Faculty of Business and Communication Sciences
5. Federal Polytechnic Bida
Situated in Bida, Niger State, Federal Polytechnic, Bida is a tertiary institution run by the Federal Government.
In 1977, Federal Polytechnic Bida was founded as a result of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s decision to relocate the school to Bida. Federal College of Technology, Kano was its previous name.
The institution now has seven faculties:
- School of Applied and Natural Sciences
- School of Business Administration and Management
- School of Engineering Technology
- School of Basic and General Studies
- School of Environmental Studies
- School of Financial Studies
- School of Information and Communication Technology
6. Auchi Polytechnic
Federal Polytechnic Auchi Polytechnic is located in Auchi, Edo State. It is among the first four polytechnics in Nigeria to be founded.
Initially established as a technical institution as a gift from the British government to the Midwestern Region, Auchi Polytechnic was established in 1963. It only provided instruction up to the Ordinary Diploma level in a few select business and engineering subjects. By the 1970s, more and higher levels of skilled labour across a wide range of specialities were required.
As a result, the technical institution was elevated to a full-fledged polytechnic by the Bendel State Government in 1973, with the responsibility of producing skilled labourers capable of completing the Higher National Diploma in a variety of fields, including science, engineering, environmental studies, business, and art and design.
The current legislation that established it gave the institution the mandate to develop middle-class, highly skilled labourers with advanced training and experience in engineering, applied sciences and technology, environmental studies, management studies, art, and industrial design for the sake of the country’s economy. The Edo State Government gave control of the polytechnic to the Federal Government in 1994.
The institution is known both nationally and globally for its strong academic standards. Auchi Polytechnic has continuously been listed by Webometrics as one of Nigeria’s best institutions since 2009. In 2009, it was ranked eleventh, and in 2010, it rose one spot to tenth. It rose to the second spot by 2011. It has continuously maintained its position as one of the top polytechnics in Nigeria, West Africa, and all of Africa
The institution has 6 faculties:
- School of Applied Science & Technology (SAST)
- School of Business Studies (SBS)
- School of Engineering Technology (SENG)
- School of Environmental Studies (SENV)
- School of Information & Communication Technology (SICT)
- School of General Studies
7. Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu
Nigeria’s Enugu State is home to the Polytechnic Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, or IMT Enugu. Founded in 1965, the Institute of Management and Technology is a polytechnic institution controlled by the state.
The Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, Enugu State, has been formally approved and/or recognized by the Nigerian National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
Some notable alumni include the former commissioner for works and transportation in Anambra State, Azuka Okwuosa, and the Nigerian rapper, singer-songwriter, and record producer, Phyno.
8. Federal Polytechnic Offa Kwara State
Situated in Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria, the Federal Polytechnic, Offa is a post-secondary educational institution. The polytechnic, which was founded in 1992 during Ibrahim Babangida’s government, provides undergraduate courses leading to the National Diploma and Higher National Diploma.
The school offers six programmes:
- Financial Studies
- Business Studies
- Secretarial Studies
- Science Laboratory Technology
- Electrical/Electronic Engineering
- Computer Science
9. Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo
Located in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic is a postsecondary educational institution. It is authorized to operate as a state-owned polytechnic by the National Board for Technical Education. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria has also granted it accreditation.
The former Military Governor Sunday Tuoyo issued an ordinance establishing The Polytechnic in 1979 under the name The Polytechnic, Owo. The Polytechnic was run by Executive Governor Adekunle Ajasin as soon as he took office in early 1980. In 1990, it changed its name to Ondo State Polytechnic. The polytechnic had more than 4,000 students by 2010.
Numerous departments are located within the Polytechnic’s faculties of engineering, science and technology, LEMS, etc. Its mission is to provide instruction and create methods in the fields of home economics, accounting, engineering, environmental studies, applied science, and commerce.
10. Yaba College of Technology
YabaTECH, often referred to as Yaba College of Technology, is the first higher educational institution in Nigeria, having been established in 1947.
In 1947, Yaba Higher College was replaced by Yaba College of Technology. By Decree 23, which gave it the authority to provide full- and part-time courses of instruction and training in technology, applied science, commerce and management, agricultural production and distribution, as well as for research, it achieved autonomous status in 1969.
The first university in Nigeria to create a Center for Entrepreneurship Development with connections to business and industry is Yaba College of Technology. Throughout their time at the institution, all students are required to take the mandatory courses offered by the centre.
