Fedpoly Ilaro Graduates 542 Distinction Students In Combined Convocation

ThankGod Solomon

ABEOKUTA - The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State has graduated 542 distinction students for its 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 combined academic sessions.

The Polytechnic Rector, Engr. Olusegun Aluko who disclosed this during a press conference, organized in commemoration of the Institution’s combined convocation ceremony slated for 30th of March, 2022, said the 542 were among the 10,358 graduands, while 3,257 made upper credit and 4,856 made lower credit.

Aluko added that 1,703 would be graduating with pass.

The elated Rector who would bow out of service in September, 2022 added that the Polytechnic under his watch had increased the staff strength by producing 43 Ph.D holders to meet with the requirements of the NUC when the Polytechnic fully upgraded to University.

He emphasized that the additional 34 new programmes have been approved to make the existing curriculum to 74 programmes.

Speaking on the conversion of Polytechnics in Nigeria to Universities, Architect Aluko maintained that the policy would spell doom for the nation, saying the eradication of Polytechnic education would prevent the country from meeting up with technology challenges.

Dr. Olusegun Aluko (middle) addressing newsmen on Monday

"Everybody wants a university education which affects the image of Polytechnics in Nigeria, that is why when I came on board seven years ago, I made it compulsory for skill acquisition programmes.

"Any country that cannot develop its technology will have problems. Technical college should be the crucible where you get people into the Polytechnic system. 

"The foundation of technological education in Nigeria needed to be rejigged. Polytechnics should be allowed to award degrees not by converting them into universities. Once you convert them to University, they dump the curriculum of the polytechnic for the university which will kill the skill acquisition and technological divergence.

"Make us a degree-awarding institution. The government got it wrong from the scrapping of technical colleges."