The Federal Polytechnic Bauchi has taken a significant step toward enhancing campus security and curbing exam malpractice by expanding its Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system. The installation of CCTV cameras, which is part of a project funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has extended coverage beyond classrooms to include outdoor areas, ensuring a safer environment for both students and staff.
The initiative is aimed at addressing persistent issues of exam malpractice and improving the overall security of the campus. The polytechnic has already installed cameras in key examination halls and classrooms, with plans to further expand the network to other areas of the institution.
The polytechnic’s rector, Sani Usman, shared the news during the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) accreditation visit in 2025, highlighting that the project had been in development for two years. The installation of CCTV cameras is just one part of the institution’s broader efforts to create a safe and conducive learning environment.
According to Rector Usman, the decision to expand CCTV surveillance across the polytechnic was motivated by the need to curb exam malpractice and ensure the safety of all individuals on campus. “We’ve installed cameras in key classrooms, and we are leveraging solar inverters now available in many of our halls to ensure constant visibility,” Usman explained.
The rector emphasized that the increased surveillance would improve campus security and help in the identification of any security breaches or malpractices. He noted that the expansion of CCTV coverage was vital not just for academic integrity but also for the institution’s security framework. “The initiative is part of our broader efforts to curb both examination malpractice and security breaches around the institution. We are cultivating a decent community,” he stated.
In addition to the CCTV installation, the institution is also reviewing its Students’ Handbook to include new provisions on cybercrime, a growing concern not addressed in the current handbook. This update aims to ensure that the institution’s code of conduct evolves with changing technological challenges and to make cybercrime a punishable offense within the school.
The CCTV initiative and other security reforms were discussed during the 2025 resource inspection and accreditation visit by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). The rector noted that this accreditation exercise was overdue, as it should be conducted every four years to ensure that academic programs remain up to date and in line with national standards.
Usman stressed the importance of the accreditation process, saying it was crucial for evaluating the polytechnic’s performance over the past five years and ensuring that its academic programs, personnel, and equipment met required standards. “The accreditation exercise is crucial in evaluating the institution’s performance and ensuring its academic programs remain in tune with the guidelines,” he stated.
The NBTE team reviewed 78 programs at the polytechnic during the two-day rigorous exercise. Usman expressed confidence that most, if not all, of the programs would receive positive feedback based on their thorough preparation for the visit.
“We are ready for the exercise, and as you saw, the teams did what they were sent to do. We are confident that if not all, most of the programs will receive positive responses,” Usman added.
While the polytechnic management expressed confidence in the accreditation process, the Director of Polytechnic Programmes and Team Lead for the NBTE, Dr. Fatima Umar, identified a few areas that required attention. In her review, Dr. Umar highlighted gaps in infrastructure and manpower that need to be addressed to improve the quality of education at the institution.
She pointed out that issues such as the absence of students’ handbooks, the lack of academic journals, and the unstable power supply were among the key challenges observed during the review. These gaps, she noted, needed to be urgently addressed to meet the requirements of the NBTE and improve the overall academic environment.
Represented by Adesina Oluade, Dr. Umar reiterated that the accreditation process was aimed at ensuring quality assurance in service delivery and pledged a fair and transparent evaluation of the institution. The NBTE team commended the polytechnic’s management for providing an enabling environment for the accreditation exercise, ensuring that the team could complete its review efficiently.
Despite the challenges identified, the rector of Federal Polytechnic Bauchi expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the institution in recent years. He noted that the TETFund-supported projects, such as the CCTV installation and the upcoming review of the Students’ Handbook, were just the beginning of the polytechnic’s continued efforts to improve both security and academic standards.
“We are committed to improving the quality of education at this institution, and we are confident that these steps will make a positive impact on both the safety and the learning experience of our students,” Usman said.
The rector also acknowledged the significant role of TETFund in supporting the polytechnic’s efforts, stating that the fund had been instrumental in helping the institution implement various infrastructural projects and research initiatives.
Looking ahead, the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi plans to continue its efforts to upgrade infrastructure, enhance security measures, and improve academic offerings. As part of its commitment to meeting national educational standards, the polytechnic plans to invest further in technology and other resources to ensure that students are equipped with the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive job market.
The rector also mentioned plans to further expand the use of renewable energy solutions, such as solar power, across the campus to address power supply challenges and reduce the institution’s dependence on unstable electricity sources.
“We are working to ensure that our facilities are not only secure but also sustainable, and we believe that this approach will ensure the long-term success of the institution,” Usman stated.
