The Founder and Proprietor of Timeon Kairos Group of Schools, Dr. Titus Oyeyemi, has urged the Federal Government to increase investment in polytechnic education. He emphasized that technical and vocational education remains a critical tool for addressing youth unemployment in Nigeria.
Oyeyemi made this call during the school’s eighth Open House and fourth Matriculation and third Convocation ceremonies held in Lagos. At the event, the institution matriculated 47 new National Diploma students and 14 Higher National Diploma students, while also graduating 22 National Diploma students across disciplines such as Accountancy, Computer Science, and Mass Communication.
He explained that the institution was established as a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative aimed at equipping young people with practical skills to make them employable and self-reliant. Oyeyemi noted that the Federal Government had expressed satisfaction with the institution’s facilities and programmes, including its workshops, radio and television stations, and a mechanical workshop designed to enhance practical learning.
“Our desire is to give students skills on one hand and equip them with academic excellence on the other,” he added. Oyeyemi urged the graduating students to be worthy ambassadors of the institution wherever they go, while advising newly matriculated students to remain focused and strive to complete their Higher National Diploma programmes after their ND studies.
He criticized the perceived dichotomy between university and HND degree holders, describing it as a misconception driven by ignorance. According to him, both qualifications are meant to complement each other and serve different levels of the nation’s workforce.
The event was attended by the South-West Administrative Officer of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Gbenga Abejide, who represented the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, and the Zonal Director for the South-West Region, Mr. Ayo Aroge. In his remarks, Abejide commended Oyeyemi’s passion for technical education, noting that the proprietor had remained committed to the development of TVET. He added that the institution had consistently complied with regulatory requirements and accreditation processes of the board.
“All their programmes are accredited and approved by the board. Timeon Kairos is one of the private polytechnics in Nigeria that is always prompt during board resource and accreditation exercises,” Abejide said. He also lauded the institution’s learning environment and facilities, describing them as conducive and well maintained. Furthermore, he commended the Federal Government’s effort to bridge the gap between HND and university degree holders by placing both on the same salary structure in the public service.
