The Dignity Deficit: Why Polytechnics in Nigeria Are Fading

Polytechnics were once the engines of industrial progress — built to equip hands-on professionals who power factories, fix infrastructure, and drive innovation. In Nigeria, they were envisioned as the practical counterpart to universities, rooted in real-world problem-solving. But over time, they lost prestige — and purpose.

Today, polytechnic graduates face stigma in the job market. Students choose universities not always for better education, but for better status. Meanwhile, polytechnics remain underfunded, poorly equipped, and often disconnected from the industries they were meant to serve.

The irony? The world urgently needs exactly what polytechnics were built to provide — solar installers, EV technicians, precision fabricators, sustainable construction specialists. These are the people who will build Africa’s future — and polytechnics should be the backbone of that effort.

At SAF, we’re working to restore that original purpose. Our Electric Vehicle Technician Specialization, launched with Yabatech and Ibadan Polytechnic, isn’t just a training program — it’s a statement. These institutions already have infrastructure, legacy, and talent. What they need is new relevance, new investment, and strategic alignment.

We’re not trying to bring back the past. We’re trying to future-proof it. If Nigeria is serious about building a skilled, sustainable workforce, it must start where its technical foundation was always meant to be — with the polytechnic.