The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, on Tuesday called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to provide special intervention funds to address the deplorable state of the polytechnic due to inadequate funding.
The association revealed that the institution, which had for decades contributed immensely to the training of middle-level manpower, technological development, and socio-economic growth of the state and the nation at large, is, however, being threatened by acute financial support from the state government.
SSANIP, in a statement on Monday by its Chairman and Secretary, Tunde Abiodun and Olutosin Ogundeyi respectively, lamented that whereas the monthly salaries of the institution stand at ₦210m but it will only receive a paltry N20.75m as monthly subvention from the government, a position they said has not changed for over a decade despite the harsh economic realities.
The union said that management of the institution has had to rely heavily on the dwindling internally generated revenue to make up for the shortfall and provide support for other basic infrastructure.
The association stated that “A major concern is the issue of inadequate government subvention to the institution, which has remained unchanged for over a decade despite current economic realities.
“The present level of financial support is insufficient to meet the growing operational demands of the Polytechnic. As a result, the institution has had to rely heavily on internally generated revenue to sustain basic activities, maintain infrastructure, and support academic programmes.
“This situation has placed enormous pressure on the institution and has affected its ability to function optimally.
Closely related to this is the noticeable decline in student population over the years, which has reduced internally generated revenue.
“The decline has been linked to several factors, including programme accreditation challenges, increasing competition among tertiary institutions, and infrastructural limitations.
“The reduction in student enrolment has inevitably impacted the financial capacity of the institution to sustain academic and administrative activities.”
The union also said that the issue of accreditation of academic programmes by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) also requires urgent attention.
It explained that accreditation exercises demand substantial investment in laboratories, workshops, libraries, teaching equipment, and staff development, adding that without adequate financial support, the departments will not be able to meet the required standards.
This, in effect the union said, would ultimately affect admissions into some programmes and further reduce the attractiveness and competitiveness of the polytechnic.
SSANIP disclosed further that many facilities within the institution require rehabilitation, modernization, and expansion to meet the demands of contemporary teaching, learning, and technological training.
The association said that addressing these infrastructural needs will greatly enhance the quality of education delivered at the Polytechnic and restore its competitive standing among similar institutions in the country.
SSANIP maintained that the polytechnic remains a strategic asset to the state in the area of technical education, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship development, and manpower training, and therefore strengthening the institution will translate into broader socio-economic benefits for the state and its citizens.
The statement added that “In view of the foregoing, SSANIP MAPOLY calls on the Ogun State Government to urgently review the current level of subvention to the Polytechnic, which presently stands at ₦20.75 million monthly, as against the institution’s monthly salary obligation of over ₦210 million.
“The Union also calls on the Government to provide special financial intervention to support accreditation of programmes and invest in the rehabilitation and development of infrastructure within the institution.
“Such measures will not only stabilize the Polytechnic but also reposition it to continue fulfilling its mandate as a leading institution of technological education.
“The Union remains committed to maintaining industrial harmony and supporting every genuine effort aimed at moving the institution forward.
“We therefore urge the Ogun State Government to give prompt attention to these pressing issues in the interest of the institution, its staff, students, and the future of technical education in Ogun State.”
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