Education
NBTE to Stamp out Illegal Institutions, Advises Nigerians on Patronage
The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has pledged its commitment to stamp out illegal institutions from the educational system.
This is contained in a statement by Mr Yakubu Ibrahim, Director, Inspectorate Department of the board and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday.
Ibrahim said the Board had received several petitions and complaints against the Novelty Polytechnic, Kishi which alleged that the Polytechnic was offering unapproved programmes and also operating illegal campuses existing either as outreach/study centres or satellite campuses.
He also the Board, in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), carried out discreet investigations on the allegations.
“Findings of the investigations revealed that there is an act of outright violation of government policy on the ban on Satellite Campuses and Outreach/ Study Centres by the Novelty Polytechnic, Kishi, Oyo State.
“And also a contravention of the Board’s Regulations on Offering Unapproved Programmes and Affiliations with other Institutions.
“Consequent upon the above, the Board has taken the following decisive actions which were communicated to the institution: Sales of forms and admission into all unapproved programmes are to be stopped with immediate effect.
“All affiliations with Institutions or consulting firms to operate outreach/ study centres or satellite campuses are stopped without further delay.
“All new admissions for approved/accredited programmes and quality assurance visitations to the Institution are suspended until there is compliance,” he said.
Ibrahim added that failure to comply with the above directives would lead to immediate withdrawal of the institution’s operational license by the Board.
He said the Board would also continue to monitor compliances to these directives.
“The Federal Government enacted Act 16 (Education National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) and Act 9 (Education National Minimum Standards and Establishment) Act mandates the Board to accredit academic programmes in all Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) Institutions.
“The General public is hereby advised to note as follows: The above decisions on Novelty Polytechnic, Kishi and to avoid patronising its illegal satellite campuses that have now been closed.
“Before admission forms of any Technical Institutions awarding National and Higher National Diploma certificates are obtained, it is paramount to visit the NBTE official website www.nbte.gov.ng in order to access the Directory of Accredited Programmes to confirm if it is recognised and its programmes are approved/accredited or not,” he explained.
He further said that candidates could as well visit any of the NBTE Zonal Offices across the six geo-political zones in the country for confirmation of accreditation status of any TVET Institution in Nigeria.
He said that students who graduated from unapproved institutions and programmes would not be mobilised for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
He also said that there would be no career progression or academic advancement for holders of certificates of unaccredited programmes, saying such certificates cannot be used for employment or upgrading and promotion in the civil service.
“The following are locations of outreach/study centres of Novelty polytechnic. Astute Solutions and Consulting Firm Ltd. in Abuja Campus- No. 2 Dodo street Abuja, Minna Campus-Behind Rano filling Station, Bida Road, Pakurungu, Minna, Niger State.
“Suleja Campus, Bida Campus, Ibadan Campus- Alafia Estate, Borehole, Owode, Apata, Ibadan, Think Tank ACADEMY in Ogun Campus -No. 4, Victory Avenue, Magoro, Off Magada Road, Ogun State.
“Headmaster Academy in Igando Campus, Lagos-15, Bayo Tijani Street, Igando Lagos state, Access to Education and Skills Acquisition Centre International Ltd. (ACESA)-No. 24 Saratu street off Obaakran Road, off Peru Bus-Stop, Ogba Agege, Lagos State and ABVIC Academy Consult, Mowe, Ogun state,” he said. (NAN)
Education
NBTE Begins Accreditation of New Courses in Federal Polytechnic Wannue
The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), has commenced accreditation exrceise for six new courses at the Federal Polytechnic, Wannue, Tarka Local Government Area of Benue.
Mr Ogah Ngbede, NBTE’s Director of Polytechnics Programmes, disclosed this on Thursday during the ongoing exrceise in the institution.
According to Ngbede, all the courses would be inspected before making a pronouncement.
He said that the exercise would last for two days, after which its decision would be made known.
He added that the institution secured full accreditation for two out of the five courses it presented to NBTE in 2023.
“We are here to look at the claims made by the institution because they have requested to commence some new programmes.
”We are here to ensure that the right thing is done and ensure that this polytechnic is not regarded or treated as a second grade institution,”he said.
The director, who decried poor funding of polytechnic education in Nigeria, called on goverment at all levels to ensure adequate funds were allocated to the education sector.
“The major problem affecting polytechnic education in this country is finance.
”Let me use this opportunity to call on the government at all levels to inject more funds into the polytechnic system.
“Technical education is a low hanging fruit from which this country can use to escape poverty; technical education all over the world has become a major currency with which nations are using to escape poverty.
“When we pay adequate attention to our polytechnics, students that graduate from these institutions can hit the ground running because they have the necessary tools to be job providers and not job seekers”, he said
Earlier, the Rector of the institution, Dr Tyover Ashinya, listed the courses presented for accreditation to include, Business Management, Public Administration, Agricultural Technology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Computer Science
He said that the institution has the adequate manpower and infrastructures to effectively run the six new courses.
”We are willing to improve on all necessary areas that need improvement to enable these new courses secure full accreditation,”the Rector said.
Reports says that the institution was established by the Federal Government in December 2020. (NAN)
Education
FG Set to Revolutionise Educational Infrastructure with N98.2 bn – Edun
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Federal Government has announced the ground-breaking ceremony for the building of a 1,600-capacity student hostel in Akwa Ibom State.
This project is part of a N98.2 billion nationwide initiative to enhance educational infrastructure.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun who disclosed this said the Federal Government, in partnership with states and the private sector, will construct 24 housing facilities across 24 institutions, each with 1,600 bed spaces.
According to a statement by Mohammed Manga, Director of Information & Public Relations, the initiative is aimed at addressing a significant student accommodation deficit, enhancing student performance and well-being.
It is also a testament to the sophistication and depth of our local capital marketsRepresented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Special Duties Mr Okokon Ekanem Udo, the Minister added that
“this initiative invests in our youth and educational infrastructure, ensuring that tomorrow’s leaders have the resources and environment they need to thrive.
“It also demonstrates the private sector’s willingness and capacity to partner with government to deliver critical infrastructure projects across all geopolitical zones, to reduce the housing deficit*, Wale Edun said.
Education
FG in Land-Swap Deal to boost Literacy Education in Kano
By Eddy Ochigbo, Abuja
In a renewed move to enhance sustainable growth in education, the federal government has concluded plans to embark on 13 new infrastructure projects at the National Mass Literacy and Adult Education Commission (NMEC), Kano Centre, through Public/Private Partnership (PPP).
Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, disclosed this on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ engagement and sensitisation meeting in Abuja to kick start the proposed land-swap deal for the development of critical infrastructure in Kano.
According to him, the public private partnership project would mark a turning point in literacy education of adults across the country, regretting that it was unfortunate that Nigeria still had a significant number of adults who are either illiterate or have limited literacy skills.
This major challenge, he said hinders the nation’s overall development and progress.“This is another milestone and progress in the ministry, and we will be having it with private public partnership, and this is also part of President Bola Tinubu’s eight-point agenda.Government cannot do it alone and everyone of us needs this as stakeholders to bring development and move the country forward. We have a regulation guiding us which we will use to ensure that the plots that have laid fallow over the years are put to best use in our time,” he said.
While stressing the need to regulate teaching in the country, specifically to guide teaching and teaching practice, Sununu revealed that the 13 new infrastructure projects – semi-detached two and three bedroom bungalows, state-of- the-art classrooms, clinic, library, hostels, a lecture theatre and recreational facilities, among others – would change the fortunes of the National Mass Literacy and Adult Commission, Kano centre, which has been lying fallow in the last 39 years.
“The projects would not only enhance learning at the centre, but would also provide a conducive environment for entrepreneurship in the centre. The Kano Centre of the National Mass Literacy Centre plays a crucial role in addressing this challenge by providing literacy education to adults across the country.
However, to effectively fulfil its mandate and reach more people, it is essential to have the necessary infrastructure and resources in place. This is where the proposed development of 13 critical infrastructures through land swap Public-Private Partnership comes into play. Through this innovative approach, we will be able to leverage the expertise, resources and capabilities of the private sector to create modern and functional learning facilities for the Centre,” Sununu enthused.
On his part, the Executive Secretary, NMEC, Prof. Simon Akpama, expressed confidence that through collective efforts and sustained collaboration between the public and private sector the growth of education would make a significant impact on the lives of a cross section of Nigerians. He said the initiative would also empower youths and adults to contribute their quota to national development.
Meanwhile, DAILY ASSET gathered that MASLAHA Homes and Development Limited, a leading Kano-based Real Estate company, which proposed the land-swap deal, has the capacity to design, finance and build the 13 new critical education infrastructure and assets for the Kano Centre of National Mass Literacy within the scheduled timeframe.