L-R: The Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Engr. Ibraheem Abdul; the Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Funso Afolabi; presenting a souvenir to the Secretary-General of the Council of Heads of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology (COHEADS), Mr. Masud Elelu, in the presence of the Chairman of COHEADS and the Director, NBTE South-West Zone, Dr. John Onyebuchi, during the opening ceremony of the 162nd Regular Meeting of COHEADS held at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.
By Peace Udugba
The Chairman of the Governing Council of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Prof. Funso Isolaowa Afolabi, has urged leaders of Nigeria’s polytechnics and colleges of technology to strengthen collaboration, embrace innovation and improve institutional governance to reposition technical and vocational education for national development.
Prof. Afolabi made the call while addressing participants at the 162nd Regular Meeting of the Council of Heads of Colleges of Technology and Allied Institutions (COHEADS), hosted by YABATECH in Lagos.
Welcoming delegates on behalf of the Governing Council, management, Academic Board, staff, students and the YABATECH community, he described the meeting as a vital platform for dialogue, policy formulation, collaboration and the exchange of ideas aimed at advancing technical education in Nigeria.
According to him, Nigeria’s tertiary technical education sector faces significant challenges, including inadequate funding, rapid technological changes, quality assurance issues, graduate employability and the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. He stressed that stronger institutional partnerships and collective action are essential to addressing these challenges.
Prof. Afolabi also advocated greater collaboration among Nigerian institutions, noting that while many tertiary institutions actively pursue international partnerships, equal emphasis should be placed on building strong local alliances capable of driving research, innovation, knowledge sharing and sustainable national development.
“We must continue to strengthen collaboration, promote excellence in governance, embrace innovation and ensure that our graduates possess the knowledge, skills, values and entrepreneurial competencies required to thrive in today’s dynamic global economy,” he said.
He reaffirmed YABATECH’s commitment to academic excellence, research, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, inclusive partnerships and character development, adding that the institution would continue to support initiatives that enhance the quality, relevance and global competitiveness of technical and professional education.
The Governing Council Chairman also commended the leadership of COHEADS for sustaining a platform that promotes professional engagement, strategic policy dialogue and collective problem-solving within Nigeria’s technical education sector.
He encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity provided by the meeting to exchange experiences, identify practical solutions to common institutional challenges and develop recommendations that would strengthen technical institutions and contribute to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
In his welcome address, the Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Engr. Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul, described the hosting of the COHEADS meeting as a privilege for Nigeria’s foremost institution of technical and technological education.
Dr. Abdul noted that since its establishment in 1947, YABATECH has remained committed to producing skilled, innovative and industry-ready graduates capable of driving Nigeria’s technological and economic growth.
He observed that the meeting came at a critical time when tertiary institutions must work together to address emerging issues such as digital transformation, industry relevance and the demands of a knowledge-based economy.
The Rector urged institutions to see one another as partners rather than competitors, calling on members of COHEADS to deepen local collaborations through joint conferences, research exhibitions, knowledge sharing and the development of practical solutions to national challenges.
According to him, although Nigerian institutions have continued to pursue international collaborations, greater benefits could be achieved through stronger partnerships among local institutions.
He reaffirmed YABATECH’s commitment to producing technically competent, entrepreneurial and globally competitive graduates while urging stakeholders to pursue reforms that would improve graduate employability and strengthen technical education.
Earlier, the Chairman of COHEADS described Yaba College of Technology as a historic institution that has made significant contributions to skilled manpower development, technological innovation, entrepreneurship and national development.
He commended the Governing Council, management, staff and students of YABATECH for the warm reception and successful hosting of the national meeting.
The COHEADS Chairman noted that issues such as quality assurance, funding, infrastructure development, staff capacity building, digital transformation, research, innovation and stronger industry collaboration require collective commitment and practical solutions.
He urged participants to use the meeting to review developments in the sector, exchange ideas, formulate strategies and advocate policies that would enhance the relevance, attractiveness and sustainability of technical and vocational education in Nigeria.
He also emphasised the need to expand national and international collaborations, strengthen relationships with professional bodies, promote innovation and support initiatives capable of accelerating Nigeria’s industrialisation and economic diversification.
