Nigerian students under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have threatened to shut down academic and administrative activities at Osun State Polytechnic (OSPOLY), Iree, unless an independent investigation is launched into allegations of administrative lapses, poor infrastructure and financial mismanagement at the institution.
The student body issued a seven-day ultimatum to relevant regulatory and anti-graft agencies to commence what it described as a comprehensive forensic audit of the institution, warning that failure to act would compel its national leadership to relocate to the campus to press its demands, reports The Guardian.
In a statement signed by its President, Babatunde Akinteye, NANS alleged that the institution had become plagued by systemic challenges capable of undermining the quality of tertiary education and eroding public confidence in the polytechnic system.
The association stressed that its intervention was not targeted at any individual but aimed at safeguarding academic standards, students’ welfare and institutional integrity.
NANS alleged that students had endured prolonged academic disruptions arising from inadequate teaching, incessant collection of levies and administrative inefficiencies.
It also expressed concern over the conduct of the institution’s recent Computer-Based Test (CBT), alleging that inadequate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities forced many students to rely on personal mobile phones to write examinations, resulting in technical glitches and congestion.
According to the association, the situation exposed serious deficiencies in the institution’s digital infrastructure and called into question the utilisation of intervention funds allocated for ICT development.
NANS, therefore, urged the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to carry out a comprehensive audit of projects executed with intervention funds at the institution.
The association also called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the national leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) to investigate the allegations.
It further raised concerns over the plight of some graduates reportedly yet to be mobilised for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), attributing the development to alleged administrative shortcomings in the processing and uploading of students’ records.
NANS warned that if independent investigations were not initiated within seven days, it would mobilise students nationwide to stage peaceful protests and disrupt administrative activities at the institution until its demands were addressed.
The association also cautioned the institution’s management against victimising students or whistleblowers over the allegations, insisting that those who speak out should not be subjected to intimidation or disciplinary action.
It maintained that the call for an investigation was intended to restore confidence in the institution and strengthen the quality of tertiary education in the country.
