Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has called for a major overhaul of Nigeria’s education system, urging the country to move away from excessive reliance on theoretical learning and embrace skills-based education that can prepare young people for jobs, entrepreneurship and economic development.
Fubara made the call on Saturday at the combined 25th to 32nd Convocation Ceremony of the Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic (KenPoly), Bori, where 24,842 graduates from eight academic sessions were presented with their certificates.
The governor, represented by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Dagogo Wokoma, said Nigeria could no longer afford an education system that produces graduates without sufficient practical skills.
According to him, the changing demands of the global economy make technical and vocational education increasingly important.
“We are not ruling out university, but we are saying that the world is going technical, and we cannot remain theoretical,” Fubara said.
He challenged the graduands to use the knowledge and practical skills acquired at KenPoly to create jobs, establish businesses and develop solutions to societal challenges instead of depending solely on paid employment.
The governor stressed that while university education remains important, technical education must receive greater attention because of its role in boosting productivity, innovation and economic growth.
Fubara also reminded the graduates that their certificates should be seen as the beginning of their professional journey and not the end of learning.
He urged them to continually acquire new skills and knowledge while maintaining discipline, integrity, excellence and good character.
The governor said the true value of education would ultimately be measured by the positive impact the graduates make in their families, communities and the state.
KenPoly seeks upgrade to degree-awarding institution
Earlier, Chairman of the Governing Council of KenPoly, Prof. Friday Barikpe Sigalo, appealed to the Rivers State Government to upgrade the institution into a degree-awarding polytechnic.
Sigalo said the upgrade would expand access to higher education in the Rivers South-East Senatorial District, reduce education migration and promote regional development.
Describing the convocation as historic, he said it was “a day of restoration, a day of reformation and a day of rebranding.”
He also appreciated Governor Fubara for his support for the institution and urged the graduands to build on the skills they acquired instead of abandoning them after graduation.
24,842 graduates in eight sessions
The Rector of KenPoly, Dr George Chile Wadike, disclosed that the institution produced 24,842 graduates across eight academic sessions covering 2017/2018 to 2024/2025.
He said the figure included 21,251 graduates from regular programmes, comprising 9,742 National Diploma (ND) and 11,509 Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates.
Another 3,513 graduates were produced through the Continuing Education Programme.
Wadike described the achievement as a reflection of the perseverance of students, sacrifices by parents and efforts by the institution.
He disclosed that four new HND programmes had received approval following resource verification by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), with the programmes expected to commence in the 2026/2027 academic session.
The Rector appealed to the state government to approve the recruitment of additional academic and non-academic staff to address manpower shortages, particularly in newly accredited programmes.
He also sought government assistance for student hostels, lecture theatres, administrative buildings, official vehicles for principal officers, outstanding funding, uninterrupted electricity, improved infrastructure and enhanced security.
Wadike said the institution had commenced efforts to resolve challenges affecting the mobilisation of eligible graduates for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
He urged the new graduates to remain adaptable, warning that rapid technological development, artificial intelligence and automation would continue to transform industries and the nature of work.
The ceremony featured the conferment of fellowship awards on some friends of the Polytechnic.
Among dignitaries at the event were the Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor, traditional rulers, members of the clergy, government officials, staff, students and friends of the institution.
