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FOR Nigeria to be among the 20 most developed economies in the world by year 2020, polytechnics in the country must be adequately funded and equipped with the necessary logistics needed to produce qualitative manpower for technological advancement of the country, Rector of the Zamfara State-owned Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, Engineer Sanusi Yau has noted.

Speaking in an interview with New Nigerian in Gusau, the rector said the polytechnics in the country have a significant role to play in the attainment of the vision of the country.

Yau, who said the country possesses all what is required for the attainment of the feat, also tasked the government to accord the necessary attention to all science secondary schools and technical colleges in the country in order to feed the polytechnics with qualitative students.

"The vision is achievable in the country, but the government must see to the funding of polytechnics promptly, provide the necessary laboratory equipment and see to the training of lecturers regularly for the polytechnics to discharge their mandate of promoting technical and vocational education well," the rector stressed.

Talking about Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, the rector said the products of the institution have been contributing immensely in the development of Zamfara State and by extension, the country as a whole.

"Our products or graduates have been performing brilliantly in their various endeavours, be it in the Engineering, Sciences and even in the Humanities. Currently about 40 per cent to 50 per cent of the Zamfara State civil servants are products of our school and they are all doing well in their offices," he said.

On the 70-30 admission ratio in favour of science-related courses of the National Council of Education, Engineer Yau said the institution, Abdu Gusau Polytechnic is adhering to it and that before the end of this year's academic session the institution would implement it fully.

"Now we have reached 68-32 in favour of science-related courses but before the end of this academic session, we will implement it fully," he assured.

The Abdu Gusau Polytechnic rector then urged the Zamfara State Government to establish three additional technical colleges in the state to add to the only one in the state, saying the only one cannot feed the polytechnic with the required students.