The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has charged the president-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to place high premium on the revival of collapsed teaching equipment in tertiary institutions, stressing that Nigeria cannot achieve greatness without investing hugely on technology.

In a statement signed by its national president, Sani Suleiman in Abuja, the union said no nation can achieve technological greatness without standardised teaching equipment and conducive learning environment.

It said: “NAAT takes cognisance of the ‘change’ mantra of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the political party on which you (Buhari) contested the election and would like to inform you that one major area that yearns for positive change is the education sector – particularly the university system. There is so much decay in the university system calling for attention to reverse the trend for the better.

“As a result of the importance of technological education in the development of any nation, we sincerely urge you to pay attention to the following aspects among others, as you take the governance of the Nigerian state from May 29, 2015: Providing laboratories, workshops and studios with modern state-of-the-art equipment and training and re-training of technologists to effectively handle modern equipment and keep pace with new technologies in performing their responsibility of practical teaching and demonstration.”

NAAT also commended President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat even before the announcement of the final results. It stated that history would be kind to the President for ensuring peace and put Nigeria above his interest and the interest of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party.

The union added: “NAAT, like many well-meaning Nigerians and stakeholders in the Nigerian project, was very impressed with the generally peaceful, free and fair nature of the elections.