The Federal Government has urged Nigerian youth to embrace skill acquisition and partner on security issues as critical steps toward national development. Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, gave this charge during the 26th Matriculation and 30th Anniversary celebration of Dorben Polytechnic in Abuja.

Represented by Mrs. Olubisi Olagbenro, Deputy Director at the Federal Ministry of Education, the Minister applauded the Polytechnic’s commitment to expanding technical education over 30 years.
He said that skill and innovation, not just formal education, drive growth, highlighting the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) which mandates every graduate to hold at least one certified skill.

Addressing financial challenges, Dr. Alausa announced the activation of the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to ease student access to loans, ensuring funding is not a barrier to education.

On security, the Minister stressed shared responsibility in safeguarding campuses, urging vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement to create safe learning environments.

He praised Dorben Polytechnic founder, Dr. A.B. Ekwere, for visionary leadership in filling Nigeria’s technical education gap, and urged students to avoid cultism, exam malpractice, and drug abuse.

The event featured a keynote by Dr. Abdullah Usman, recounting Dorben’s growth from a small school in 1995 to a nationally recognized polytechnic with over 10,000 graduates, multiple accredited programs, and global partnerships.

The celebration concluded with the launch of the 30th Anniversary Magazine and a call for continued excellence and investment in digital learning and entrepreneurship.