In a major move to reposition technical and vocational education in Nigeria, the Federal Polytechnic Ayede, Oyo State, on Tuesday signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE). The agreement, signed at the NDE headquarters in Abuja, is aimed at accelerating youth empowerment, innovation, and job creation across the country.
The Director-General of the NDE, His Excellency Silas Ali Agara, a former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, signed on behalf of the agency. Representing the Federal Polytechnic Ayede was its Rector, Engr. Dr. Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed. Also present at the event was Mr. Owojori Seun, the Acting Director of the Centre for Skills Acquisition and Innovation Development (CSAiD), recently reappointed for another term.
The agreement outlines a collaborative framework in which the NDE will provide infrastructure and existing vocational programmes, while Federal Polytechnic Ayede will supply academic expertise, experienced personnel, and access to a growing student body. The initiative is designed to enhance practical training, support job creation, and align with national goals on youth development and employment.
One of the key features of the MoU is the formal allocation of the NDE’s Model Skills Centre at Onipaanu in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, to the Polytechnic. Under the terms of the agreement, the institution will utilize the facility rent-free, in recognition of its public status under the Federal Ministry of Education.
Designated areas within the centre include five administrative offices, a fully equipped catering and kitchen section, standard workshops, classrooms, and hostels for both male and female trainees. The arrangement is expected to expand the Polytechnic’s capacity to deliver hands-on technical education and promote entrepreneurship initiatives, especially for youth and underserved communities.
While addressing guests at the signing ceremony, NDE Director-General Agara expressed appreciation for the Polytechnic’s persistence and commitment, noting that delays in processing the MoU were finally resolved following recent correspondence.
“I sincerely apologise for the delay. Your letter for renewal was received around November 2024 and was directed to the appropriate quarters. However, no action was taken until we received your reminder last week. That prompted us to initiate a virtual meeting, rather than asking your staff to travel from Oyo State. I’m glad the meeting addressed all key issues, and today we are here to formally sign an MoU with your institution. Let me sincerely congratulate you,” he said.
The DG further highlighted the scope and benefits of the partnership.
“This MoU allows for meaningful collaboration based on our distinct strengths—human resources from Federal Polytechnic Ayede, and physical infrastructure with well-established programmes from the NDE. It will provide access to the Labour Employment and Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP) for students, staff, and youths in the host communities, including out-of-school girls and women interested in skilling, upskilling, and reskilling,” he stated.
He added that the NDE is open to engaging qualified Polytechnic staff as mentors under LEEP and as trainers in various NDE-led programmes nationwide.
In his response, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Ayede, Engr. Dr. Abdul-Hameed, described the MoU as a “timely and strategic intervention” aligned with national efforts to reposition technical education.
“This partnership reflects our shared vision to build a skilled and resilient workforce. Federal Polytechnic Ayede is committed to maximizing this opportunity for the benefit of our students, surrounding communities, and the nation. We will deploy our academic strength, technical staff, and student innovation to ensure the success of this collaboration,” he said.
The agreement also contains standard administrative provisions covering confidentiality, dispute resolution, applicable law, non-assignment of rights, and termination procedures. Officials on both sides described the partnership as a model for productive inter-agency collaboration capable of addressing Nigeria’s widening skills gap and rising youth unemployment.
By aligning education and employment strategies, the Federal Polytechnic Ayede and the NDE have set a new standard for capacity building and innovation-driven development.
