{
  "id": 15934855,
  "title": "NBTE seeks BTech degree-awarding powers for polytechnics",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/nbte-seeks-btech-degree-awarding-powers-for-polytechnics-15934855",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T19:14:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/nbte-seeks-btech-degree-awarding-powers-for-polytechnics/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The National Board for Technical Education has proposed amendments to the Polytechnic Act, seeking to grant polytechnics the authority to award Bachelor of Technology honours degrees while maintaining the National Diploma pathway. Director-General Prof. Idris Bugaje disclosed this at a strategic session in Abuja, emphasizing the need to strengthen the link between technical education, research, and industrial development. Bugaje explained that the proposed changes aim to address the disparity between Higher National Diploma and university degree holders. He also announced plans to provide N1bn to N1.5bn to each polytechnic to establish production lines under the One Product, One Polytechnic initiative, which requires polytechnics to manufacture at least one local product to boost domestic production and reduce import dependence. Nigeria's heavy reliance on foreign technology and goods stems from weak connections between technical education and industrial development, Bugaje noted, citing the potential for local manufacturing of simple products like wheelbarrows. He urged researchers to engage with industry from the outset to ensure their work meets practical needs and called for stronger industry-led curriculum reviews, modern facilities, and enhanced partnerships between polytechnics and private companies. The director-general highlighted the shortage of technical manpower in Nigeria, citing the employment of thousands of Indian workers in the Dangote Refinery as evidence. The World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organisations' Dr. Benjin Luo emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between academia and industry to accelerate technology transfer and commercialization. He noted that researchers often lack market insights, while many businesses cannot afford their own research capabilities. Luo's organizations aim to bridge this gap by translating industry needs into university research projects and facilitating commercialization of innovations. RMRDC Director-General Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso stressed the importance of bridging the gap between research institutions and industry to maximize the economic value of Nigeria's natural resources and research investments. The Tertiary Education Trust Fund prioritizes research capable of producing commercially viable products, supporting centers of excellence and research initiatives across tertiary institutions to translate findings into practical outcomes.",
  "summary": "The National Board for Technical Education is proposing amendments to the Polytechnic Act to empower polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology degrees. Read More: https://punchng.com/nbte-seeks-btech-degree-awarding-powers-for-polytechnics/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "NBTE seeks BTech degree-awarding powers for polytechnics",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/nbte-seeks-btech-degree-awarding-powers-for-polytechnics",
        "published": "2026-10-21T19:14:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}