Students of Osun State Polytechnic (OSPOLY), Iree, under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have threatened to close down academic and administrative activities at the institution if an independent investigation is not launched into allegations of administrative lapses, poor infrastructure and financial mismanagement at the institution. law
The student body gave relevant regulatory and anti-graft agencies seven days ultimatum to begin what it described as a comprehensive forensic audit of the institution, threatening that failure to do so would force its national leadership to move to the campus to demand its requests, The Guardian reports.
In a statement signed by its President, Babatunde Akinteye, NANS said that the school had been beset by structural problems that could affect the quality of tertiary education and damage the public’s confidence in the polytechnic system.
The group said its action was not targeted at any individual but was focused at protecting academic standards, students welfare and institutional integrity.
NANS said that students have suffered protracted academic disruptions occasioned by poor teaching, incessant collection of levies and administrative inefficiencies. Legally
It also expressed worries over the manner the institution conducted its recent Computer-Based Test (CBT), lamenting that many students were forced to use their personal mobile phones to write examinations due to lack of adequate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities, leading to technical glitches and congestion.
The incident showed major inadequacies in the institution’s digital infrastructure and raised questions about the use of intervention money earmarked for ICT growth, the association said.
Consequently, the NANS has called on the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to conduct a comprehensive audit of projects undertaken with intervention funds in the institution.
The association also called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Department of State Services (DSS), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and national leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) to investigate the allegations. K-12 (Elementary & Secondary Schooling)
It also expressed worries about the situation of some graduates purportedly still to be mobilised for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the country. It attributed the development to alleged administrative flaws in the processing and uploading of students’ information.
The NANS warned that if independent investigations are not commenced within seven days, it would lead to the mobilisation of students across the country to embark on peaceful protests and shut down the administrative activities of the university until its demands are met.
The group advised the management of the college from victimising students or whistleblowers over the claims, stressing that those who speak out should not be subjected to intimidation or disciplinary action.
It said the need for a probe aimed to restore confidence in the institution and improve the quality of tertiary education in the country. Social Sciences
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