A polytechnic is one of the best places to gain technical skills and if you’re thinking in that direction, you should enrol at any of the top ones in the country.

In this post, we’ve highlighted the top 10 polytechnics in Nigeria based on the quality of the programmes offered by these schools.

10 Best Polytechnics in Nigeria

Yaba College of Technology

Popularly known as YABATECH, this prestigious institution was established in 1947.

It is one of the most sought after polytechnics in the country. Currently, the school has a student enrolment of over 16000.

YABATECH scores a first as the first higher institution to establish a Centre for Entrepreneurship Development.

Also, the school has an Applied Research and Technology Innovation Unit which serves to promote research by collaborating with private sector organizations.

YABATECH has a second campus at Epe which is the home of the Michael Otedola Information and Communication Centre and the Department of Agricultural Technology.

In 1979, YABATECH experienced a brief rechristening to become the Federal Polytechnic, Yaba however it was returned to its initial name in 1980.

In the recent past, there have been rumours of YABATECH being converted to a university; however the senate has refuted these claims.

The school has 8 schools and 34 academic departments which offers a total of 64 accredited programmes across ND, HND and post HND levels.

Auchi Polytechnic

Auchi Polytechnic is one of the oldest polytechnics and one of the leading polytechnics in the country. It was established by the Federal Government in 1964.

The school has continued to adapt its curriculum over the years to meet international standards. Their website is quite user friendly and enables students access chat forums and the school’s e-library.

Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro

Established in 1979, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro is one of the top 10 polytechnics in Nigeria. As a matter of fact, the school has been reported to be the most sought after polytechnic in the country since 2014.

Unlike other institutions, the school has had a consistent academic calender over the last 12 years.

The master plan of the Polytechnic is divided into 2 distinct campuses which is called the East and West Campuses.

The East Campus houses the staff quarters, the main library, student hostels, sports facilities, student affairs office, the medical school, the Nursery and Primary schools etc.

The West Campus has the School of Engineering and Environmental Studies, the Main Auditorium, ICT Centre etc

Federal Polytechnic, Nekede

The vision of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede is to become the pacesetters in demand driven technology and innovations and their position as one of the top polytechnics in the country seem to attest to this.

This polytechnic is totally committed to training students with technical and professional skills to become not just employable but to become job creators as well.

This explains why the school places a premium on innovative research as well as hands on techniques.

The Polytechnic Ibadan

Located in the city of Ibadan, the Polytechnic Ibadan popularly called Ibadan Poly was established in 1970 as the successor of Technical College, Ibadan.

The polytechnic operates on a faculty system and the school currently has 5 faculties which include:

• Engineering
• Sciences
• Environmental studies
• Financial and Management
• Business and Communication

The rector of IbadanPoly is Professor Olatunde Fawole.

These faculties award the National Diploma and Higher National Diploma degrees. The IbadanPoly is a very popular institution in Oyo and currently has a student enrolment of over 25000.

Lagos State Polytechnic

Popularly called LASPOTECH, the Lagos State Polytechnic is located in Ikorodu. The school was established 40 years ago to train young people in order to attain their full potential and it seemed they are well on their way to achieving that.

Recently, it was reported that the staff and students in the school manufactured drones. And the governor of the State, Akinwunmi Ambode promised that these drones would be deployed in aerial security surveillance across the State, since the drone market have been raising and easy even for the general public to get drones from sites as hotrate.com to play outside or in their houses.

The rector of the polytechnic is Mr Samuel Sogunro. In their last convocation over 9000 students graduated from the 32 departments of the Polytechnic.

Osun State Polytechnic

Also known as OSPOLY, the Osun State Polytechnic was established in 1992 when it became autonomous from the Ibadan Polytechnic that same year.

The school had initially operated as a satellite campus of the Ibadan Polytechnic.

The polytechnic has 7 faculties and over 38 departments:

• Faculty of Information and Communication
• Faculty of Management Studies
• Faculty of Financial Studies
• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Environmental Studies
• Faculty of Basic Sciences

Federal Polytechnic Oko

Located in Oko in Anambra, the Federal Polytechnic Oko can be traced to the College of Arts and Science which was established by the Anambra State Government in 1979.

In 1985, the college was upgraded to a polytechnic and was named the Anambra State Polytechnic, Oko. The school would later be taken over by the Federal Government leading to it being renamed the Federal Polytechnic Oko.

The polytechnic has three campuses. The main campus is located at Oko while the other 2 campuses are the Ufuma and Atani campus.

The Federal Polytechnic is one of the most preferred institutions of choice for many young school leavers based on the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination data.

Imo State Polytechnic

Established in 1978 as the Michael Okpara College of Agriculture, Umuagwo but was renamed as the Imo State Polytechnic in 2007.

Some of the courses offered include agriculture, management sciences, engineering and food science.

The polytechnic has made giant strides in the field of agriculture. In 2009, the agricultural department developed 43 varieties of high yielding cassava.

One of the Faculty members of the University Chinwe Obaji was appointed the headof the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Education

Imo State Polytechnic is located twenty six kilometres from Owerri.

Kaduna Polytechnic

Popular called KADPOLY, the Kaduna Polytechnic started as a technical institution in Northern Nigeria. It was initially called Kaduna Technical Institute.

The polytechnic is highly sought after especially in the Northern part of the country and currently has a student enrolment of over 25000.

KADPOLY has over 138 programmes which have been spread across its 44 academic departments.

OLD RANKING

Here are the top ten Polytechnics in Nigeria and their fields of study.

1. Yaba College of Technology, Yaba

Yaba College of Technology is the oldest higher education institution in Nigeria.  It currently offers courses in the following areas:

• Art, Design and Printing
• Engineering
• Environmental Studies
• Management and Business Studies
• Sciences
• Technology
• Liberal Studies
• Technical and Vocational Education

2. Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro

The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, notable for excellence in education, offers different courses in each of the following programmes:

• Applied Science and Technology
• Engineering
• Environmental studies
• Management Studies

3. Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi

Very active, the Auchi Polytechnic offers various course options in each of the following programmes:

• Science Laboratory Technology
• Art and Design
• Applied Sciences and Technology
• Engineering Technology
• Environmental Studies
• Architectural Technology

4. Federal Polytechnic, Nekede

Having undergone a lot of transformation since inception as College of Technology, Owerri, in 1978, the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, has become well established.  Students can pick from a number of courses under the following programmes:

• Business and Management Technology
• Engineering technology
• Industrial and Applied Sciences
• Environmental and Design Technology

5. Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna

A massive learning centre, the Kaduna Polytechnic provides opportunities for learning in the following programmes:

• Administrative Studies
• Social Sciences
• Business and Management Studies
• Engineering
• Environmental studies
• Geodesy and Land Administration
• Science and Technology

6. Lagos State Polytechnic

Located in Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, the Lagos State Polytechnic offers courses in the following areas of learning:

• Agriculture
• Engineering
• Environment Studies
• Management and Business Studies
• Technology

7. Federal Polytechnic, Bida

Established in 1977, the Federal Polytechnic Bida has weathered the storm and is now an institution to be reckoned with.  It offers courses in the following areas:

• Applied Arts and Sciences
• Business and Management
• Environmental Studies
• Preliminary Studies

8. The Polytechnic, Ibadan

The Polytechnic, Ibadan has served as a pivot for higher education in the western part of Nigeria since its establishment in 1970.  It has made significant contribution in the provision of middle and higher level manpower in commerce and technology.  Courses are currently provided in the following areas:

• Business and Communication Studies
• Engineering
• Environmental Studies
• Financial and Management Studies
• Basic Sciences

9. Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta

Renamed from Ogun State Polytechnic to Moshood Abiola Polytechnic after the renowned politician, the institution is a rallying point for polytechnic education in its geographical region.  Courses are offered in the following areas:

• Business and Management Studies
• Communication and Information Technology
• Environmental Studies
• Science and Technology

10. Osun State Polytechnic, Iree

Formerly a satellite campus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, the Osun state Polytechnic became a full-fledged institution in 1992.  Courses in the following areas of study are offered by the Osun State Polytechnic:

• Information and Communication
• Management Studies
• Financial Studies
• Basic Sciences
• Engineering
• Environmental Studies

The Polytechnics award the National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in the courses that they offer.  In addition, some of them offer diploma and certificate courses.  Course duration depends on whether a course is taken on full time or part time basis.  Preliminary (or remedial) programmes are also available in the schools.