The House of Representatives Committee on Polytechnics and Other Higher Technical Education has threatened to sanction five federal polytechnics for failing to honour its invitation to present their budget performance reports.
Rep. Fuad Laguda, Chairman of the Committee, issued the warning on Wednesday in Abuja after the committee’s planned meeting with the institutions failed to take place.
He said in spite inviting the management teams of five federal polytechnics, none attended the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 20 November 2024.
“The institutions are Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State; Federal Polytechnic, Ohodo, Enugu State; Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State; Federal Polytechnic, Akanu Ibiam, Ebonyi State and Federal Polytechnic, Isuochi, Abia State.
“This is the first time we have witnessed such regrettable behaviour from any polytechnic in Nigeria,” Laguda said.
He explained that the committee had previously engaged with other institutions across the country, including physical visits to campuses and meetings at the National Assembly for those unable to host the committee.
“It is shocking that these schools from the South-East have outrightly refused to honour the invitation of the National Assembly,” he added.
Laguda further criticised the behaviour of the sole representative from the Federal Polytechnic, Isuochi, who arrived alone and without any supporting documents.
“The meeting was scheduled for 12 o’clock, and after waiting for an hour and a half, the rector of the Federal Polytechnic in Abia State strolled in single-handedly, claiming to be attending a meeting with us, yet came completely unprepared”.
He emphasised that the committee would invoke relevant laws empowering the National Assembly to address the situation.
“We have engaged with other federal polytechnics across various regions, including the North-West, South-West, North-Central, and North-East, both at their campuses and at the National Assembly when necessary.
“It is unacceptable for these institutions to disregard the same process,” he said.
Laguda reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to ensuring accountability and adherence to due process, stating that appropriate actions would be taken against the defaulting polytechnics in due course.
Reps to increase budgetary allocations for Federal Polytechnics in 2025 budget
The House of Representatives say it will increase the budgetary allocations for Federal Polytechnics in Nigeria in the 2025 budget.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Rep. Danladi Aguye (APC-Kogi) during plenary on Wednesday in Abuja.
Presenting the motion, Aguye noted that Polytechnics were established to produce middle-level manpower and technical skills in engineering and technology.
He added that they also provide highly skilled technical knowledge to give training and impact necessary skills for the production of technicians, technologists and other skilled personnel.
Aguye argued that in spite of rapid expansion and changes in the world of technology, polytechnic education is yet to be accorded due recognition in the country.
He said that most of these institutions were faced with multi-faceted challenges such as a lack of training facilities and inadequately qualified human resources.
Others, he said, include obsolete laboratories and workshops for practical activities and outdated curriculum that is devoid of 21st century skills requirements, among others.
He said, in spite of the number of polytechnics in Nigeria, technical jobs across several sectors, especially oil and gas as well as maritime sectors, are not manned by Nigerians.
This, according to him, is a result of the skill gap among polytechnic graduates.
He expressed worry about inadequate funding of federal polytechnics in Nigeria, as some are being converted into universities.
He added that China took drastic steps to convert about 600 universities to polytechnics.
According to him, funding of polytechnic education will help bolster the country’s technological development.
He added that it would reduce heavy importation and dependency, bringing growth and development that developed countries have attained in different sectors of the global economy.
This, he said, was due to technological advancement, adding that polytechnics were the backbone of the technical education system and 1T order to meet the evolving demands of the economy.
“We must significantly increase our investment in polytechnic education,” he said.
Adopting the motion, the House urges the Federal Ministry of Education to increase the funding of Federal Polytechnics in Nigeria. The House also mandated the Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.