Nigeria has a teeming population dominated by vibrant youths. Education is a priority in the country and most young adults have experienced tertiary education. After universities, polytechnics are the most sought after educational institutions in Nigeria. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) receives millions of applications each year for admission into these polytechnics.
There are quite a number of polytechnics in Nigeria- each state has at least one, and making a decision can be a headache. However if you’re looking for top polytechnics in the country you’ve come to the right place. They are:
1. Auchi Polytechnic
Located in Edo state, Auchi polytechnic is the alma mater of many talented scientists. The institution has emerged the winner in several national competitions. It won the Polytechnic Expo in 2008 and in 2012 came first in the best designs and fabrications. It was also awarded at the Minna exhibition for its crafts and woodworks.
It was established in 1963 by the state government and in 1994 was taken over by the federal government. It is regarded as the top polytechnic in Nigeria. It has seven schools which house dozens of departments.
2. Yaba College of Technology
Yaba College of Technology is located in the heart of Lagos state, the commercial hub of the country. Popularly known as YABATECH, it was founded in 1947.
Apart from National Diplomas (ND) and Higher National Diplomas (HND), YABATECH offers B.Sc (Ed) courses in Technical and Vocational Education and Post Graduates Diploma in Engineering. The two programmes are run in conjunction with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the Federal University of Technology, Akure. You can also opt for a part-time study if you won’t be chanced to be a full-time student.
The lecturers at YABATECH are leading professors in different industries. Students go through a rigorous training and graduate as refined individuals armed with skills to make a change in their chosen fields.
3. Federal Polytechnic Nekede
The Federal Polytechnic, Nekede is located in Imo state. It was established in 1978 by the then state government as a College of Technology before it became a federal institution in 1993. The school is touted to have outstanding lecturers who mould young individuals into bright personalities.
The polytechnic consists of a School of Engineering Technology, School of Environmental design and Technology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Industrial and Applied Sciences, and School of Business Management Technology
The school places a great premium on innovative research and hands-on techniques. It offers National Diploma and Higher National Diploma courses at undergraduate levels.
Here are the top 10 Polytechnics in Nigeria.
4. The Polytechnic, Ibadan
The main campus of the polytechnic Ibadan (or POLYIBADAN) is located right beside the University of Ibadan, UI. The two institutions actually share a common gate. POLYIBADAN had four other satellite campuses and they now stand on their own, having evolved into standalone polytechnics.
The polytechnic was originally created in 1970 as a successor to the Technical College, Ibadan. Since 1975 it has been operating on a faculty system.
POLYIBADAN is a great state polytechnic, and ranks high amongst federal polytechnics. It has excellent facilities and a vibrant student life. It runs ND and HND programs.
5. Lagos State Polytechnic
LASPOTECH is owned by Nigeria’s commercial hub and is located in Ikeja, the heart of Lagos state. There are 8 schools to study from, including Agriculture, Engineering, Management and Business Studies, Pure and Applied Sciences, and so on.
It is touted that LASPOTECH is the best polytechnic to study engineering at in Nigeria based on the opportunities it offers its students.
It offers full and part-time studies for ND and HND programs. It also receives applications for post-graduate studies.
6. Osun State Polytechnic
The Osun state polytechnic was second to Auchi polytechnic in the past but has lost that position now. Nevertheless, it is still rated high amongst others.
The institution is located in Iree, and was formerly a satellite campus of the polytechnic, Ibadan. It became an autonomous institution on the 12th of October 1992. It also has a daily part time program which it runs at its Koko campus.
The polytechnic has seven faculties which contains several departments from which one can choose a desired course of study- Information and Communication, Engineering, Financial Studies, Environmental Studies, Management Studies, Basic Sciences, and Sciences.
7. Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro
This polytechnic is fortified with modern infrastructures which aids the academic progress of its students. There’s a modern library and a students’ office where students can find answers to questions regarding their academic lives.
The school is located in Ilaro, southwest of Ogun State.
8. Imo State Polytechnic
The Imo state polytechnic is a sought after institution in the eastern part of the country. It is located in Umuagwo and was established in 1978 as the Michael Okpara college of Agriculture. It was upgraded to a polytechnic in 2007.
The polytechnic provides courses, training and research in all branches of Agriculture, Management Sciences, Engineering and Food Sciences. It is also certified to award National Diploma and Higher National Diploma certificates to its graduates.
It has a flexible academic schedule and students who can’t study full-time can opt to go to classes during the weekends.
9. Federal Polytechnic Oko
The federal polytechnic Oko has a rich academic atmosphere which is exciting and exhilarating at the same time. It was approved by the Anambra State Government as a College of Arts and Science in 1979 and was upgraded to a College of Arts, Science and Technology in June, 1980. It got approved as a federal polytechnic in 1993.
The polytechnic has a main campus at Oko and there are two other campuses at Ufuma and Atani. The school has a vibrant social life too. There are 8 schools from which to choose a course of study from.
10. Kaduna Polytechnic
The Kaduna polytechnic is kept in pristine conditions. One good thing about the polytechnic is the diversity it welcomes and the flexibility of its curriculum. There are weekend and evening part-time programs for students busy with other things.
It is located in Tudun Wada, LGA of Kaduna state and was created in 1956. There are 5 colleges from which to choose a course of study. This includes the College of Business & Management Studies (CBMS), College of Environmental Studies (CES), College of Engineering (COE), College of Science and Technology (CST), and the College of Administrative Studies and Social Sciences (CASSS). It offers ND and HND undergraduate programs.