Study of Optical Fiber Splicing Quality and Training Standards at Polytechnics in South West Nigeria

Optical fiber splicing is a precision technical skill fundamental to the deployment, maintenance, and expansion of fiber optic telecommunications networks. The quality of splicing training provided at polytechnics in Nigeria determines the technical competence of field engineers entering the growing fiber network industry. This study examines optical fiber splicing training quality and standards at selected polytechnics in Ogun, Ekiti, and Ondo States, South West Nigeria. A mixed-methods design was employed, combining laboratory assessments of splicing proficiency among 90 final-year National Diploma and Higher National Diploma students, interviews with fifteen polytechnic lecturers, and review of national curriculum specifications from the National Board for Technical Education. Student splicing performance was assessed using industry-standard fusion splicer equipment, with splice loss measured by optical time domain reflectometer. Results indicate that mean splice loss achieved by students was 0.32 dB, exceeding the industry acceptable threshold of 0.15 dB for single-mode fiber. Only 29% of students achieved splice losses within acceptable limits. Insufficient practice hours attributed to equipment shortages and high student-to-equipment ratios were the primary training quality constraints. National curriculum splicing hours were found to be 40% below the industry minimum recommended by the Fiber Optic Association. Recommendations include procurement grants for polytechnic fiber laboratories, increased industry mentorship partnerships, and curriculum revision to specify minimum practical contact hours for fiber splicing modules. Keywords: optical fiber splicing, polytechnic training, South West Nigeria, splice loss, curriculum.