MAPOLY Rector, Adeoye Odedeji Announces Mandatory Skills Qualification Programme For All Graduates, Unveils Career Skills Centre

By: Abdulwasiu Akintunde  

The Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, Dr. Adeoye Odedeji, has announced that all students of the institution will be required to complete a mandatory Skills Qualification Program before graduation. 

Dr. Odedeji disclosed this in an exclusive interview with OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News, shortly after the matriculation ceremony for new students of the Institution for the 2023/2024 academic session. 

According to him, the Polytechnic is focused on a three-pronged approach to student development which are entrepreneurship training, digital skills acquisition, and career services.  

This new initiative is part of the Polytechnic’s commitment to producing well-rounded graduates equipped for the demands of the modern job market.  

“We have developed the Centre for Skills Development to emphasize that beyond obtaining diplomas or degrees, students need practical skills."

"One can only become competent through learning a trade or occupation, which aligns with the mandate of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE),” Dr. Odedeji explained.  

The Rector however unveiled the mission statement banner of the Institution’s newly established Career Services Centre (CSC).  

The newly unveiled CSC represents the third pillar in the Polytechnic’s strategy to produce industry-ready graduates. 

“This initiative will guide students from the time they gain admission until the completion of their programs, ensuring they acquire the necessary skills and knowledge required in today’s labour market,” the Rector concluded.  

Also speaking during the interview, the Director, Career Service Centre, Dr. Shola Adeosun, provided further insights into the Centre’s operations. 

He revealed that certain courses will be integrated into existing curricula, with lecturers across departments teaching them in the same way entrepreneurship courses are delivered.  

“These courses are designed to engage students throughout their time at the Polytechnic, regardless of their department or course of study,” Dr. Adeosun noted. 

He added that the new framework will allow employers to collaborate with the Polytechnic by suggesting modifications to curricula, ensuring that students are equipped with relevant skills that align with evolving industry demands.  

MAPOLY’s focus on entrepreneurship, digital skills, and career services reflects its ambition to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical expertise, ensuring that graduates leave the Institution prepared for both employment and self-reliance.

During the interview,the Rector who was joined by the Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, Dr. Olabisi Baiyewu, the Director of the Skills Acquisition Centre, Engr. Dr. Apampa, and the Director of the Career Services Centre, Dr.Shola Adeosun emphasized that the unveiling of the objectives of the new Centre marks the take off of the third leg of the strategic institutional policy drive tripod.