The Rector of Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Uwana (AIFPU), Dr Felix Attah, has called on the Federal Government to end the existing dichotomy between university and polytechnic graduates in Nigeria.

The Rector made the call on Friday in Uwana, Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi during the 44th matriculation ceremony of the institution held at the polytechnics’ matriculation arena.

Attah, who decried the imbalance said that the most challenging issue in the polytechnic sector was the continuing dichotomy between university and polytechnic graduates and certificates issued to them.

He noted that the disparity had persisted in spite of the federal government’s pronouncements abrogating the dichotomy.

“It is globally acknowledged that the polytechnic is central to technical and vocational education, therefore, polytechnic education should be accorded its priority for national development.

“The only solution is for the federal government to grant polytechnics permission to be awarding degrees in technology; once that is done, the dichotomy will be over because while university is awarding their degrees, we will be awarding ours.

“I believe that with God on our side, the willingness of federal government and the cooperation of the National Assembly, the ongoing processes to amend the Polytechnic Act to expand the scope of polytechnics and create a separate regulator for the sector will be achieved,” he said.

The Rector added that the polytechnic sector in Nigeria was bedeviled with challenges from different quarters as the Nigerian economy struggled to beat negative headwinds caused by dwindling resources for sustainable developments.

“The intervention lines for infrastructure developments in polytechnics are getting leaner in spite of the best efforts of the Tertiary Education Trusts Fund (TETFUND) and other agencies,” he added.

On the recent clamour for the abolition of TETFUND, the Rector noted that without TETFUND that tertiary education would be in ruins and called on President Bola Tinubu not to give ascent to any bill that would seek to abolish the programme.

Attah explained that matriculation ceremony was an important academic ritual to formally induct new students into the hallowed chambers of the institution.

He congratulated the 2,524 matriculants on their admission.

“It is in the matriculation ceremony like today that this polytechnic formally acknowledges to our parents and guardians that the polytechnic has formally taken responsibility of training their children in technical education as well as moulding their characters.

“I earnestly admonish our matriculating students to strictly adhere to the noble principles guiding the conduct of students in the polytechnic.

“These noble principles include honesty, good character and serious mindedness in pursuit of academic excellence.

“We guide our students to be of good behaviours; any student that exhibits anti-social behaviours such as dishonesty, examination malpractice, forgery, cultism among other anti-social activities will be rusticated from the institution.

“We congratulate our parents and students for deeming us worthy partners to the future of their children,” Attah said.

The institution matriculated no fewer than 2,524 students in the 2024/2025 academic session.

They included 1,248 in National Diploma (ND), 1,249 in Higher National Diploma (HND) and 27 students in part time programme. (NAN)

The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Mr Sonny Echono, on Saturday urged both federal and state governments to grant full autonomy to universities.

Echono made the call during a convocation lecture titled, ‘University Autonomy and the Challenge of Quality Tertiary Education in Nigeria,’ held at Federal University, Oye-Ekiti.

He stated that universities, as ivory towers, have three core mandates: teaching, research, and community service.

The TETFUND Executive Secretary argued that to carry out their functions, both federal and state-owned universities must be granted full autonomy, allowing them greater operational freedom.

Echono explained that university autonomy and academic freedom are separate but fundamental aspects of university operations, crucial for maintaining quality education and fostering academic growth.

He highlighted that the government’s current policy on university autonomy does not fully guarantee freedom, as it retains ultimate control through university governing councils.

Echono urged the Federal Government to grant universities more autonomy to enhance infrastructure and foster collaboration with industries, alumni, and other educational institutions.

He emphasised that autonomy enables universities to build stronger networks, improve infrastructure, and collaborate globally to exchange ideas, experiences, and best practices in education.

“University autonomy also provides opportunities for global collaboration, allowing universities to share ideas, research, and effective teaching methods, benefiting the learning process,” he said.

Echono added that university autonomy would lead to enhanced operational efficiency and improved performance, ultimately fostering the development of quality education for national growth.

In response, the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, commended the guest speaker at the university’s 9th convocation ceremony.

Fasina expressed gratitude to TETFUND for its continued support in promoting the university’s development, despite economic challenges.

He assured university stakeholders of his administration’s commitment to improving and promoting quality education at the institution. (NAN)

As National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) disbursements stall in some universities, students are facing increasing challenges in meeting their tuition fee obligations.

The delay in the processing of refunds has caused particular anxiety among final-year students, many of whom have already paid their fees from personal funds and are unsure if or when they will be reimbursed.

Students who receive the NELFUND monthly upkeep of 20,000 Naira are also finding it difficult to balance their living expenses and tuition payments, as the upkeep funds are insufficient to cover both.

The delay in disbursement has created a financial strain, disrupting academic plans and adding to the stress of an already demanding final year.

At Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (JOSTUM) Makurdi, students have been receiving the 20,000 Naira stipend since December 2024, but the university has not provided updates regarding the delay in the disbursement of the main school fees.

Despite the government’s disbursement of ₦136.7 million to the university, covering the tuition fees of 2,222 students, the funds have not yet been released by the school.

This has left students struggling to find alternative ways to cover their tuition.

The university resumed in January 2025, but there were no updates on whether NELFUND beneficiaries should hold off on paying fees or proceed with registration, it’s gathered.

Fearing late registration, students, including final-year ones, went ahead and paid their school fees out of pocket.

As a result, their names are on the NELFUND beneficiary portal, but they have not received the corresponding tuition coverage, only the N20,000 monthly upkeep.

One final-year student of Microbiology, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concern over what would happen to students who paid their fees themselves.

“I have only one semester to graduate, and I have already paid my school fees for this semester. I don’t know what the school plans to do.

“As it stands, it’s like we’re already owing the government for money we didn’t benefit from. Are they going to refund what we’ve paid after graduation?

“I paid over ₦52,000 this semester and have received the monthly allowance of ₦20,000 for over two months. I just hope the school clarifies the situation,” he said.

Another student from the school, Elijah, also expressed frustration, asking, “Some of us have already made the payment, so, are we going to get our money back? We’re still waiting for the refund from the school.”

It’s also gathered that students from other institutions, including the University of Nigeria Nsukka and Obafemi Awolowo University, have similarly lamented the inability to get their school fees paid, despite approvals.

However, Comrade Elum Shadrach, Public Relations Officer of the Students’ Union at Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, assured that the union is working closely with the management to resolve the issue.

“We have confirmed with the school management that the funds for school fees have been received. However, the management is currently working on connecting our school account with Remita so that these funds can be reflected,” he stated.

NELFUND is a government initiative established to provide interest-free loans to Nigerian students pursuing higher education.

The repayment begins two years after completing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), providing graduates with a grace period to secure employment and stabilise financially.