Reps Panel Slams Polytechnics’ Rectors Over Budget Defence Absence

By: Oluwakemi Kindness

The House of Representatives Committee on Polytechnics and Other Higher Technical Education has criticised the low turnout of Rectors at the ongoing 2026 budget defence, warning that the trend signals deeper accountability challenges within Nigeria’s technical education system.

Chairman of the Committee, Fuad Laguda, expressed disappointment after 10 of the 14 invited Rectors failed to appear for the exercise, despite prior notifications.
He also revealed that only 22 out of 36 federal polytechnics nationwide submitted their budget reports ahead of the session.

Among the 14 institutions scheduled to defend their budgets, only four were represented, the Rectors of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa and Federal Polytechnic Idah, alongside bursars from Federal Polytechnic Bauchi and Federal Polytechnic Bali.

Several absent Rectors reportedly cited the recent FCT Area Council elections and movement restrictions as reasons for their absence.
However, the Committee dismissed the explanations as inadequate, stressing that budget defence is a constitutional requirement tied to transparency, accountability, and prudent use of public funds.

Oversight Failure Raises Sector Concerns

The Committee warned that failure to honour legislative invitations undermines institutional discipline and weakens oversight mechanisms essential for good governance.
Following the poor attendance, the session was adjourned, and the presentations of the four institutions that appeared were postponed to a later date.

Despite the setback, the Committee adopted a report presented by the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Professor Idris Muhammad Bugaje, to guide future deliberations.

Call to Reposition Polytechnics

Rep. Laguda urged polytechnic leaders to demonstrate stronger commitment to administrative efficiency and national development, stressing that oversight is intended to strengthen institutions rather than punish them.

He emphasised the urgent need to reposition polytechnics as hubs of innovation, vocational excellence, and skilled manpower development — key drivers of industrialisation, job creation, and economic diversification.

According to him, leadership in the sector must refocus priorities, rebuild governance structures, and restore confidence in Nigeria’s polytechnics, once widely respected for producing industry-ready graduates.

Expectation of Compliance

The Committee reaffirmed its readiness to work with polytechnics, regulators, and stakeholders to improve funding efficiency, infrastructure, and academic standards.

A new date for the adjourned budget defence will be announced, with lawmakers expecting full compliance from all affected institutions.

The incident highlights persistent governance gaps in Nigeria’s technical education sector, where poor accountability, weak funding management, and declining institutional standards continue to threaten efforts to produce skilled manpower for national development.