The House of Representatives has called on the education ministry to increase the budgetary allocations for federal polytechnics in the 2025 budget.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Danladi Aguye (APC-Kogi) during plenary on Wednesday in Abuja.

Presenting the motion, Mr Aguye argued that despite rapid expansion and changes in the world of technology, polytechnic education is yet to be accorded due recognition in the country.

He said most institutions were faced with multi-faceted challenges, such as a lack of training facilities and inadequately qualified human resources.

Mr Aguye said these include obsolete laboratories and workshops for practical activities and outdated curricula devoid of 21st-century skills requirements, among others.

He said that despite the number of polytechnics in Nigeria, technical jobs across several sectors, especially oil and gas and maritime, are not manned by Nigerians.

According to him, this results from the skill gap among polytechnic graduates.

The lawmakers expressed concern about inadequate funding for federal polytechnics in Nigeria, as some are being converted into universities.

He added that China took drastic steps to convert about 600 universities to polytechnics.

According to him, funding of polytechnic education will help bolster the country’s technological development.

He added that it would reduce heavy importation and dependency, bringing growth and development that developed countries have attained in different sectors of the global economy.

“We must significantly increase our investment in polytechnic education,” he said.

Adopting the motion, the House urges the Federal Ministry of Education to increase the funding of federal polytechnics in Nigeria.

The House also mandated the Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.

(NAN)