By Peter Jene, Senior National Correspondent
Nigeria’s chronic reliance on imported goods has long been a thorn in the side of its economic sovereignty, draining foreign reserves and leaving the nation vulnerable to global market fluctuations. But the conversation about reversing this dependency is not new. Experts from various sectors, including education, manufacturing, and economics, have long emphasized the need for homegrown solutions. Among the voices calling for radical change is the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Dr. Mukail Akinde, who has passionately argued for improved funding of polytechnic education as a pathway to technological development and reducing Nigeria’s heavy importation.
In his speech during the second anniversary of his appointment and the presentation of a newly fabricated solar-powered tricycle, Akinde highlighted the key role polytechnics could play in spurring the country’s technological advancements. He stated that with proper funding, Nigeria’s polytechnic institutions could spearhead innovation, address manufacturing gaps, and ultimately reduce the nation’s import dependency. More importantly, Akinde’s argument underscores the broader issue of Nigeria’s education system being out of sync with its developmental needs. This report critically examines Akinde’s assertions and explores the broader implications for Nigeria’s future.
The Intersection of Polytechnic Education and Technological Development
Polytechnic institutions in Nigeria were originally designed to provide a practical, hands-on approach to education, equipping students with the technical skills necessary to drive industrial and technological development. In countries like Germany, South Korea, and China, polytechnic education plays a significant role in national development, offering specialized training that meets the needs of industries and fostering a culture of innovation. However, in Nigeria, the potential of polytechnic education remains largely untapped due to chronic underfunding and systemic neglect.
Dr. Akinde’s call for improved funding of polytechnic education is not only timely but critical. He argues that Nigeria’s continued reliance on imports stems from its failure to invest in its technical education infrastructure. According to Akinde, the failure to fund polytechnic institutions has left the country technologically stagnant, unable to produce essential goods that could otherwise be manufactured locally.
He draws attention to the glaring example of Nigeria’s reliance on foreign countries for simple manufacturing processes. During the unveiling of the solar-powered tricycle produced by students at Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Akinde revealed that the motor for the tricycle had to be designed locally but sent abroad for precision cutting due to the lack of adequate foundries in Nigeria. This example vividly illustrates how technological innovations conceived in Nigeria often require foreign intervention to bring them to completion, a cycle that perpetuates the country’s dependence on imports.
The Importance of Ajaokuta Steel and the Manufacturing Sector
Central to Akinde’s argument is his advocacy for the revitalization of the long-abandoned Ajaokuta Steel Company, a project that has become a symbol of Nigeria’s failed industrial aspirations. The resuscitation of Ajaokuta Steel, according to Akinde, is vital for the development of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector and, by extension, its technological advancement. He argued that the company’s revival would provide the foundational infrastructure necessary for the growth of local industries, particularly in the production of machinery, vehicles, and other industrial products.
“Ajaokuta Steel must work,” Akinde declared emphatically, stressing that a functioning steel industry is central to the country’s technical development. Nigeria’s failure to operationalize Ajaokuta Steel has left the country dependent on foreign steel imports, a fundamental material in almost all aspects of manufacturing. Without a reliable source of steel, Nigeria’s manufacturing sector will continue to struggle to produce goods locally, leaving the economy vulnerable to global market prices and supply chain disruptions.
Countries like China have successfully leveraged their steel industries to drive industrialization and technological advancements. China’s investment in polytechnic education, which Akinde also referenced, has played a pivotal role in its rise as a global manufacturing powerhouse. The rector’s argument implies that Nigeria, too, must invest in both its technical education and industrial infrastructure to reduce its reliance on imports and create a self-sustaining economy.
Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Import Dependency
Nigeria’s import dependency is not just an economic problem; it is a symptom of a larger systemic failure to harness the potential of its educational and industrial sectors. Akinde’s remarks about polytechnic education being a catalyst for technological development are rooted in the belief that Nigeria’s educational system must evolve to meet the needs of a modern, industrialized society.
One of the most critical observations made by Akinde is that many of the products Nigeria imports could be manufactured locally if polytechnics were adequately funded. For example, Nigeria spends billions annually on importing automobiles, electronics, and other goods that could be produced domestically with the right technical skills and infrastructure. Akinde’s point about the solar-powered tricycle developed at Ilaro Polytechnic underscores this. If polytechnic institutions across Nigeria were given the resources to innovate, they could develop and manufacture similar products on a larger scale, reducing the need for imports and creating jobs in the process.
The tricycle, capable of being charged both electronically and through solar power, is a prime example of the type of homegrown innovation that could revolutionize Nigeria’s transportation sector. However, Akinde stressed that such projects often hit a dead end due to a lack of funding for the necessary equipment and facilities. Without a working foundry, Nigerian innovators are forced to send their designs abroad for completion, which not only adds unnecessary costs but also reinforces the country’s dependence on foreign technology.
Akinde’s frustration is palpable when he compares Nigeria’s polytechnic education system with that of other countries. “If China can convert most of their universities to polytechnics, do you want to say they don’t know what they are doing?” Akinde asked rhetorically. He points to Malaysia, Singapore, and China as examples of countries that have prioritized technical education and, as a result, leapfrogged ahead of Nigeria in terms of technological and economic development.
The Role of Government and Policy in Polytechnic Education
Akinde’s call for better funding of polytechnics is also a call for a change in government policy. For too long, polytechnic education in Nigeria has been relegated to the background, with more attention and resources being directed towards universities. This disparity in funding and support has contributed to the underdevelopment of Nigeria’s technical workforce and has hampered the country’s ability to innovate and manufacture goods locally.
The Nigerian government has a crucial role to play in reversing this trend. Akinde’s demand for a national focus on polytechnic education is a direct challenge to policymakers to rethink their priorities. If Nigeria is to break free from its import dependency, the government must not only increase funding for polytechnics but also implement policies that encourage innovation and industrial growth.
For instance, the establishment of more foundries and industrial workshops in polytechnic institutions would enable students and faculty to turn their ideas into tangible products without having to rely on foreign facilities. This, in turn, would create a pipeline of locally manufactured goods, reducing the need for imports and boosting the country’s economy.
Additionally, collaboration between polytechnics and the private sector is essential. Akinde’s work at Federal Polytechnic Ilaro demonstrates the potential of such partnerships. The institution has already made significant strides in technological advancements, introducing 25 new courses, starting a School of Agriculture, and improving staff welfare, all of which contribute to creating a conducive environment for innovation. The Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, represented by Engr Felix Olu, has already expressed interest in collaborating with the polytechnic to commercialize its innovations, including the solar-powered tricycle. Such partnerships could be the key to turning Nigeria’s polytechnics into hubs of technological innovation and industrial production.
Conclusion: The Future of Polytechnic Education and Nigeria’s Industrial Revolution
Dr. Mukail Akinde’s vision for a Nigeria that is self-sufficient in manufacturing and technological development is both bold and achievable, but only if the country’s polytechnics are given the resources they need to succeed. As Akinde rightly pointed out, countries like China, Malaysia, and Singapore have shown the world that investment in technical education is the key to rapid industrialization and economic growth. Nigeria, on the other hand, remains stuck in a cycle of import dependency because it has failed to prioritize polytechnic education.
The government must heed Akinde’s call for better funding and policy support for polytechnics. The resuscitation of Ajaokuta Steel, the establishment of more foundries, and stronger collaboration between polytechnics and the private sector are all necessary steps towards reducing Nigeria’s import dependency and fostering a homegrown industrial revolution.
In the end, the future of Nigeria’s economy may very well rest on its ability to nurture and support the next generation of innovators and manufacturers—many of whom will come from the country’s polytechnic institutions. With the right investment, Nigeria can break free from its reliance on imported goods and become a leader in technological development and industrial production, much like the nations it now imports from.
