Polytechnics To Face Sanctions For Running Unaccredited Courses

SERIOUS sanctions now await any polytechnic in Nigeria that runs unaccredited courses, engages in illegal affiliation or admits students beyond its carrying capacity.

Besides, the Nigerian polytechnic education will before the end of this year, be overhauled to give more emphasis to engineering and technological studies. By this development more preference will now be given to candidates seeking admission in engineering-related courses.

These were the thrusts of the comments of the Executive Secretary of National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Dr. Masa’ud Kazaure yesterday at Offa, during the sent-forth ceremony for the out gone Rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Mufutau Olatinwo.

Olatinwo, who had spent the first two years of his 10- year tenure in acting capacity, yesterday completed a two-term of four years each in office.

Kazaure, who disclosed the need for robust contributions of polytechnics to the nation’s economic growth, noted that any institution of learning offering “irrelevant courses” might no longer be a delight of the Federal Government.

Kazaure praised Olatinwo for restoring and upholding peace in his 10 years of office, despite inheriting a turbulent institution. He urged the Acting Rector Dr. Ayodele Olaosebikan to follow suit.

Olatinwo thanked God and all the members of staff of the polytechnic for working as a family within the period under a review.
The Olofa of Offa, Gbadamosi Mufutau Esuwoye, described Olatinwo as a meticulous Rector and “one who did not drag the name of our town (Offa) in the mud. He is a true son of Offa indeed.”

Rectors from Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, Dr. T.T. Akande; Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Dr. Margaret Ladipo; and Kwara State Polytechnic Ilorin, Alhaji Mas’ud Elelu, are among the dignitaries that attended the colourful event.