Reps Fault Poor Compliance By Federal Polytechnics At Budget Defence

The House of Representatives Committee on Polytechnics and Other Higher Technical Education has criticised what it described as poor compliance by federal polytechnics after most rectors failed to attend a 2026 budget defence session in Abuja.

The Chairman of the Committee, Fuad Laguda, said only four of the 14 invited institutions were represented at the meeting.

According to him, just 22 of the country’s 36 federal polytechnics had submitted their budget reports at the time of the exercise, a development he described as troubling.

“Ten rectors were absent. Some reportedly blamed the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory election and overnight movement restrictions for their inability to attend.

However, Mr Laguda said such explanations were insufficient given the importance of the process.

He said budget defence forms part of parliament’s constitutional duty to ensure transparency, accountability and effective use of public funds.

Because of the low turnout, the committee adjourned the session and said a new date would be announced.

Despite the setback, lawmakers received and adopted a report from the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Professor Idris Muhammad Bugaje, to guide further discussions.

Mr Laguda said the House was not seeking to “witch-hunt” any institution but to improve standards across the polytechnic system.

He stressed the need to reposition technical education to support Nigeria’s industrial growth and produce graduates equipped for the labour market.

The committee said it would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to improve funding efficiency, infrastructure and academic standards in the sector.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji