—– as 915 Beneficiaries Graduate in Skills Acquisition Programme,
The Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Dr Tope Alake has urged students to take advantage of skills acquisition opportunities, stressing that the country needs technically competent people who can create value and contribute to national development.
The Rector said this at the ceremony where the institution graduated about 915 participants under its National Skills Qualification (NSQ) programme, with other stakeholders urging Nigerian youths to prioritise practical skills acquisition over dependence on white-collar jobs.
The maiden certificate award ceremony of the Skill Development Centre was organized by the institution in conjunction with the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at the Atiku Abubakar Hall, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti.
The ceremony, held under the theme, “Skills, the Bedrock of Development,” attracted representatives of government agencies, polytechnic management, staff, students, facilitators and other stakeholders.
The Southwest Zonal Director of NBTE, Dr John Onyebuchi, said the NSQ programme was designed to make technical and vocational education more accessible to people beyond conventional National Diploma and Higher National Diploma programmes.
He urged the graduates to continue developing their skills, describing skills as an important form of currency in the modern economy. According to him, the programme also incorporates ethics to ensure that beneficiaries understand not only how to make money but also how to manage and apply their skills responsibly.
Also, the Rector of the institution, Dr Temitope Alake, said the ceremony celebrated more than academic achievement, describing it as a celebration of patience, perseverance, vision and discipline. He commended NABTEB and the agencies supporting the programme, noting that the certificates were issued through the relevant skills certification framework rather than the conventional Polytechnic certificates.
The Director of the Skill Development Centre, Dr Fajilade olawamide said the centre had trained and certified hundreds of students and artisans through various skills programmes. She urged the graduates to regard their certificates as tools for further development rather than as the end of their training.
Fajilade advised them to continue learning, practicing their skills and explore opportunities instead of waiting indefinitely for white-collar employment. She also appreciated the Rector and facilitators for their support in sustaining the programme.
The keynote speaker, Dr Olapade Olalusi, said skills acquisition had become increasingly important as Nigeria seeks productive citizens capable of solving problems and creating value. He urged the graduating students to think beyond their certificates and use their newly acquired capabilities to build sustainable livelihoods.
Similarly, Mr Adetunji Lawrence Aribasoye, Senior Special Assistant to the Ekiti State Governor on Monitoring and Evaluation, encouraged the graduates to become innovative, resourceful and willing to learn from mentors, stressing that economic opportunities often follow the value people create.
He disclosed that his farm would train poultry-focused beneficiaries and provide ₦200,000 to selected best-performing participants to support their start-up activities.
One of the graduates, Jegede Solomon Tosi, who trained in electrical installation, described the programme as an opportunity to gain practical knowledge and improve his employability.
Another participant, Salako, who trained in poultry production, said the programme exposed her to bird management, feeding, medication, incubation and other practical aspects of poultry farming. She said her previous exposure to poultry during her National Diploma programme inspired her to develop the skill further and consider poultry farming as a viable option after graduation.
