The management of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, has dismissed allegations of a ₦500 million accreditation fraud reported by Daily Post, describing the claims made by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Offa Chapter, as “misleading” and “unfair” to the institution.
In a statement issued by the Head of Information and Public Relations, Olayinka Iroye, the Polytechnic faulted the August 11, 2025, Daily Post story titled “Federal Poly Offa: ASUP decries N500m accreditation fraud”, saying it misrepresented facts about the upcoming accreditation exercise.
“The Polytechnic is scheduled for the accreditation of 61 programmes, not 21 as reported,” the statement said.
According to the management, the ₦500 million referenced was only a proposed budget, prepared by the Director of Academic Planning at the request of management for presentation to the Governing Council in line with due process.
It explained that initial submissions from departments amounted to about ₦900 million, but this was “meticulously reviewed and significantly reduced to about ₦500 million without compromising the quality and standards required for the exercise.”
Giving details, the Polytechnic said over ₦300 million from the budget is earmarked for the purchase of modern, high-quality equipment for departments including Engineering Technology, Applied Sciences, Food Technology, Mass Communication, Computer Science Technology, and Management Studies. It added that statutory accreditation fees would also be paid to the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), while the remaining funds would cover logistics for the 85 NBTE-appointed Resource Persons visiting for the exercise.
“When these figures are carefully broken down, it becomes evident that the budget is neither excessive nor wasteful,” the statement said. “On the contrary, it reflects a balanced, well-considered, and responsible approach to meeting accreditation needs while ensuring the judicious use of public resources.”
The management also dismissed ASUP’s claim that the Rector and Director of Academic Planning intended to siphon funds, calling it “false, malicious, and damaging.”
“The accreditation budget is subject to scrutiny at multiple levels, Department, Management, Governing Council, TETFund, and NBTE, making any such alleged fraud impossible,” the statement read.
It added that disbursements are made in line with federal financial regulations and subjected to internal audit, external audit, and oversight by relevant agencies.
Responding to ASUP’s demand for an “ASUP slot” in the accreditation committee, the Polytechnic noted that the committee already consists predominantly of ASUP members “by virtue of their positions as Deans, Heads of Departments, and senior academic staff,” making any additional slot “a needless duplication.”
On claims that the institution was “degenerating,” the statement highlighted infrastructural and academic developments under Rector Engr. Dr. Kamoru Kadiri, including the completion of TETFund-sponsored lecture halls and laboratories, ICT upgrades with e-learning platforms, expansion of academic programmes, and improved staff welfare despite funding challenges.
The Polytechnic also addressed ASUP’s reference to “entitlement packages for outgoing principal officers,” clarifying that it was “a request for Council’s consideration and not an approved policy,” and reaffirmed its compliance with all circulars from the Federal Ministry of Education and NBTE.
“While we welcome constructive criticism and genuine engagement from stakeholders, we urge that such be based on facts rather than speculation or misinformation,” the management appealed. “Daily Post and other media outlets should ensure balance in their reportage by verifying facts from all parties before publication.”
The statement concluded that the institution remains focused on producing “skilled, competent, and morally upright graduates” and would not be distracted by “unfounded allegations.”