From Alhaji Yusuf, Damaturu
The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, Dr. Ibrahim Bello Bashir, has called for the urgent certification of artisans across Northern Nigeria, warning that the nation’s dependence on foreign skilled labour is hindering local employment and economic growth.
Speaking during an event marking his first year in office, Dr. Bashir noted that major national projects such as the Dangote Refinery and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline have heavily relied on expatriate workers due to the absence of certified local professionals.
“Nigeria has the manpower, but our artisans are not certified. This has left us importing welders, electricians, and pipe fitters while our own people remain sidelined,” he said.
The rector projected that upcoming projects, including the Mambila Hydroelectric Power Project and the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, will require over 115,000 certified workers—a demand Nigeria is currently unprepared to meet.
To bridge this gap, Dr. Bashir unveiled several institutional initiatives designed to boost certification and skills development. He disclosed that the polytechnic has commenced efforts to integrate Almajirai into formal technical training and certification programmes.
“We are also introducing vocational upskilling for Islamic scholars (Ulama) through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) framework, enforcing mandatory skills qualification for all polytechnic graduates, and creating new departments in hospitality and service sectors to meet emerging labour demands,” he added.
Dr. Bashir further revealed that his advocacy for financial transparency in tertiary institutions has been adopted as a federal policy directive. Despite funding delays, he said the polytechnic has implemented key infrastructure upgrades with TETFund support, including enhanced security measures across campus.
Reaffirming his five-year development vision, the rector urged stakeholders to prioritise skills training, certification, and local empowerment as tools to reclaim Nigeria’s industrial and economic potential.