President Bola Tinubu told graduates that Nigeria must pour more into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). He said skills are key to reviving the economy and helping young people.
Tinubu spoke at Kaduna Polytechnic’s combined convocation and 70th anniversary in Kaduna on Saturday. The celebration covered 60,803 graduates from the 2015/2016 to 2024/2025 sessions.
Represented by Minister of State for Education Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, the president warned that the era of relying only on academic certificates is over. He urged graduates to take up entrepreneurship, innovation and practical skills to stay relevant.
Tinubu said the federal government will strengthen schools and create opportunities through programmes like the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the Students’ Venture Initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He also asked Kaduna Polytechnic to use digital tools to boost learning and global competitiveness.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani backed the push for skills, pledged more support for education, and announced plans for a modern theatre and access roads across campuses. He donated N50 million to the convocation and commissioned a new lecture theatre.
Rector Dr Suleiman Umar said the polytechnic aims to produce job creators, not just job seekers. Of the 60,803 graduates, 1,725 had distinctions, 13,920 upper credits, 35,127 lower credits, 9,856 passes, and 175 certificates.
Governing Council Chair Dr Oluwakemi Pinheiro urged value creation, announced 152 scholarships from personal funds, and praised staff. Registrar Muhammad Tanimu listed fellowships for several dignitaries. The Emir of Zazzau thanked the school and asked graduates to keep discipline and polytechnic values.
NAN
