FG poised to stop establishing new tertiary institutions, Federal lawmaker

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Compliance, Honourable Abiodun Olasupo has hinted that the federal government may no more fund the establishment of new tertiary institutions in the country.

According to Olasupo, the government may tread this path so as to encourage increased involvements of private individuals and organisations in establishing tertiary institutions across the country.

Olasupo gave this hint when the delegation of National Board of Technical Education(NBTE), led by its Executive Secretary, Dr Shehu Aliyu, visited SAF Polytechnic in Iseyin, Oyo state, on accreditation exercise.

He consequently echoed calls of residents of Iseyin for the NBTE to accredit SAF Polytechnic, Iseyin, to avail the youths of Oke-Ogun area the access to sound education.

“As a lawmaker, I am privileged to certain information which suggests that the federal government in the near future might not establish any tertiary institution in the country.”

“Opportunities like this from individuals should be encouraged to shore up the lapses and access to quality education by our youths.”

“The institution has provided quality and required facilities. We have come here to appeal NBTE to accredit the polytechnic. This will bring development to the area and allow our youth access quality education,” Olasupo said.

Deputy Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Abdulwasi Musah, representing Saki West State Constituency and another lawmaker in the state, Afeez Adeleke, representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency,  also corroborated Olasupo’s remarks, saying education could not be left as the prerogative of government.

The Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba (Dr) AbdulGaniyu Salahudeen and a leader and Chairman, Iseyin Development Union (IDU), Pa Gbadebo Ogundiran, also appealed to the NBTE team to ensure justice was done.

The proprietor of the institution, Alhaji Ismail Folorunso, explained that standard facilities and programmes were in place to ensure that the polytechnic is accredited, adding that the institution the institution was established to encourage the youths to have access to quality education.

The leader of the NBTE team, Aliyu, expressed confidence that the facilities on ground at SAF Polytechnic were promising enough for the accreditation being sought.

“The report of this inspection will be taken to Abuja and the management will soon be given the good result by God’s grace,” Aliyu said.