Many Nigerian secondary school graduates often wonder why universities are always ranked higher than polytechnics, especially when filling out their JAMB forms.
Universities consistently have higher cut-off marks and are more sought after.
In this article, we will discuss the reasons why Nigerian universities are considered better than polytechnics. Let’s dive in.
- Admission Qualifications The qualifications required for university admission are generally higher than those needed for a polytechnic. Examination bodies like JAMB set a benchmark of 150 out of 400 for polytechnics, while universities have a higher baseline of 180 out of 400. This means that if you aspire to gain admission to a university, you would need to study harder.
- Quality of Students It’s evident from the first reason that many young and talented Nigerian students prefer universities. Often, it is the students who have attempted JAMB multiple times and couldn’t meet the cut-off mark for any university that choose to apply for polytechnic admission as a last resort. This tends to result in a smaller pool of high-performing students in polytechnics.
- Government Funding The Nigerian government allocates more funds to universities compared to polytechnics. Universities receive more attention and support from the government, including the demands of the university governing body (ASUU). This results in a higher quality of education in universities.
- Infrastructure and Campus Size Nigerian universities surpass polytechnics in terms of well-designed structures and expansive campuses. The quality of buildings in an institution often reflects the quality of life there, and universities benefit from substantial funding, allowing them to initiate impressive construction projects.
- Highly Qualified Lecturers The quality of lecturers in universities is significantly higher than in polytechnics. Many university lecturers hold Ph.D. degrees and have years of teaching experience. Even Master’s degree holders often settle for assistant lecturer positions in universities. On the other hand, most polytechnic lecturers possess only a Bachelor’s degree with limited teaching experience.
- Employability and Perception There is a strong preference for university graduates, especially for white-collar jobs. Polytechnic graduates are sometimes viewed as mid-level skilled workers, which may be due to the historical purpose of polytechnics. This preference for university graduates opens up more opportunities, both locally and internationally, and provides them with higher self-esteem compared to their polytechnic counterparts.
- Postgraduate Opportunities University graduates have numerous postgraduate opportunities, including scholarships to study abroad. In contrast, polytechnic graduates often face limited options for postgraduate studies, and they may have to pursue a Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc.) to access some of these opportunities.
Note: It is essential to remember that everyone has the potential for success, regardless of their level of education.
