The Taraba State Government has commenced plans to upgrade the State College of Health and Technology, Takum, into a polytechnic in a move aimed at making the institution eligible for funding from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
Governor Agbu Kefas disclosed this on Saturday during the first combined convocation ceremony of the college, which brought together graduates from 1995 to 2025 in Takum Local Government Area.
Represented by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr Mike Dio, the governor said the government was working on amending the laws establishing the institution to enable it to benefit from TETFund interventions.
According to him, the college currently operates as a monotechnic, a status that prevents it from accessing the fund under existing guidelines. He added that necessary legal and administrative reforms were being pursued to facilitate its transition into a polytechnic.
Kefas cited the transformation of the Taraba State College of Agriculture, Jalingo, from a monotechnic to a polytechnic as an example of how such reforms could improve access to educational funding.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving tertiary education in the state through investments in infrastructure, accreditation of academic programmes, staff training and increased access to higher education.
He described the convocation as a significant achievement in the history of the institution, noting that it fulfilled a long-standing dream of the college and its former students.
While congratulating the management, staff, parents and graduating students, Kefas encouraged them to maintain professionalism, humility and integrity in their future careers.
“Education remains central to our development agenda because no society can strengthen its healthcare system, grow its economy or secure its future without investing in education,” he said.
The governor also highlighted some of the initiatives introduced by his administration, including a 50 per cent reduction in tuition fees across state-owned tertiary institutions, support for accreditation exercises, improved facilities, recruitment of more personnel, increased funding and the introduction of additional academic programmes.
He said the measures were designed to reposition tertiary institutions in Taraba and equip graduates with the skills needed to compete both nationally and globally.
Earlier, the Provost of the college, Wama Binga, attributed the institution’s achievements to the combined efforts of its management, staff and development partners.
Binga described the convocation as a historic occasion, being the first since the college was established over 30 years ago.
She commended Governor Kefas for prioritising education, saying government interventions had improved infrastructure, strengthened academic programmes and renewed confidence in the institution.
Established in 1993, the Taraba State College of Health and Technology, Takum, had produced more than 30 sets of graduates without previously conducting a convocation ceremony.