Kwara Polytechnic Moves to Cut Costs, Boost Skills with Home-Made Furniture Initiative
The Acting Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. (Mrs.) Felicia Olabisi Awolola, has urged staff and students to prioritise the use of locally produced goods within the institution as part of efforts to strengthen the local economy and deepen practical learning.
Awolola made this known during an inspection visit to the wood workshop at the Institute of Skills Acquisition, ahead of the 2025 assessment of skills development interventions for beneficiary polytechnics by TETFund.
Accompanied by other principal officers, the rector challenged workshop personnel to focus on producing durable and high-quality furniture that can meet the needs of the institution internally before being marketed outside.
“We must begin to look inward. If we can produce standard furniture here, there should be no reason to source them elsewhere,” she said, stressing that quality must remain a top priority.
She added that adopting locally made products within the Polytechnic would not only reduce procurement costs but also serve as a platform for hands-on training for students.
Awolola further encouraged students to work collaboratively on production projects, noting that such an approach could generate income while equipping them with industry-relevant skills.
“Group-based projects will expose our students to real-life production processes. At the same time, they can earn from their skills while still in school,” she explained.
In her remarks, the Director of the Institute of Skills Acquisition, Engr. (Mrs.) Onipede Elizabeth, welcomed the initiative and pledged to explore ways of integrating student-led production with existing workshop operations.
She said the move holds great promise for improving craftsmanship, promoting innovation and enhancing the Polytechnic’s contribution to local manufacturing.
