A newly established federal polytechnic in Ugep, Cross River State, has come under fire for having more staff than students.
The House of Representatives Committee on Polytechnics and Other Higher Technical Education made the shocking discovery during an oversight visit.
Chairman of the committee, Fouad Laguda, expressed outrage that the institution, which has only 142 students, employs 154 academic and non-academic staff.
Millions Spent on Few Students
The polytechnic’s management revealed that about ₦600 million has been spent on personnel and overhead costs.
In addition, ₦38 million was used for local travels.
These figures angered lawmakers, who described the expenses as wasteful and unsustainable.
“This is unacceptable,” one committee member declared. “A federal polytechnic operating like a primary school in my village cannot justify these expenses.”
Challenges From the Start
Professor Edward N. Okey, the Rector of the Polytechnic, led the school’s management team to defend their actions.
He explained that the institution faced significant challenges from its inception in 2021.
Finding a temporary site for the polytechnic delayed its take-off for over a year.
“When we arrived, we could not start at the state-owned Institute of Technology and Management (ITM) in Ugep,” Okey said.
He added that the team eventually settled on the dilapidated Ugep Community Secondary School, which had been abandoned for 25 years.
“It took over a year to renovate those buildings,” he noted.
Stigma Haunts Ugep Polytechnic
Professor Okey also cited historical stigma as a factor affecting the school’s growth.
“Even my council members were afraid to visit Ugep,” he revealed.
The town, according to him, once had a reputation for cannibalism, although this practice ended hundreds of years ago.
“But once there is a stigma, it’s difficult to erase,” he lamented.
Despite these challenges, the polytechnic has been making gradual progress.
“We started with 16 students, and now we have 142,” the Rector said.
He highlighted that the institution had surpassed the ITM, which began in 2012 but only managed to attract 63 students in 12 years.
N2 Billion Take-Off Grant Spent on Projects
The Rector also explained how the ₦2 billion take-off grant was spent.
Part of the funds went into renovating the temporary campus.
“We constructed a School of Engineering, a perimeter fence, and a guest house,” Okey said.
Additionally, the institution purchased a Hilux vehicle, which he described as the only official vehicle in use.
Lawmakers Demand Accountability
The House Committee was unimpressed with the explanations.
“This is an embarrassment,” Chairman Fouad Laguda declared.
He accused the school management of poor planning and lack of preparation for the oversight visit.
“None of the institutions we invited from the South-South region met our expectations,” Laguda said.
He also noted that some schools failed to appear entirely, while others submitted incomplete reports.
“You were notified over a week ago, and you’ve known for two months that your turn would come,” he scolded the Rector.
Polytechnic Ordered to Reappear
The committee ordered the polytechnic to submit a detailed budget review within a week.
“We are giving you another chance to come back with proper documentation,” Laguda warned.
Lawmakers vowed to hold the institution accountable for every kobo spent.
The committee emphasized that federal funds must be used prudently, especially in institutions struggling to attract students.
A Call for Change
The situation at the Ugep polytechnic has sparked calls for a review of how newly established institutions are managed.
Experts believe that better planning and stakeholder engagement can prevent such issues in the future.
