NIGERIA: FG To Roll Out Modern Equipment To 37 Polytechnics Under Skills-G Programme

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The federal government says 37 polytechnics across Nigeria will receive modern, industry-grade equipment as part of the second phase of its Skills-G programme, a move aimed at strengthening technical training and closing the nation’s skills gap.

The ministry of education disclosed in a statement shared on its official X handle on Wednesday, announcing the inauguration of a ministerial implementation and monitoring committee tasked with supervising engineering and laboratory upgrades in beneficiary institutions.

According to statement, the committee is expected to oversee execution, ensure accountability in equipment deployment, and recommend schools for inclusion in the programme’s third phase scheduled for 2026. It will be chaired by the executive secretary of the National Board for Technical Education.

The ministry explained that the upgrades will focus on critical technical disciplines aligned with current labour market needs.

It said: “Priority areas include mechatronics, robotics, renewable energy, telecommunications, electronics, and automobile engineering to align training with labour market demands.”

According to the ministry, the intervention is supported by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund as part of broader federal efforts to produce graduates with practical, industry-relevant skills and improve competitiveness in the technical education sector.

Officials noted that the Skills-G initiative has long served as a platform for upgrading science and engineering facilities in tertiary institutions, particularly polytechnics, positioning them to deliver hands-on training that reflects modern industrial realities.

The programme complements the government’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training initiative launched in October 2025, which focuses on promoting entrepreneurship and reducing dependence on conventio

nal job markets.