The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education on Tuesday pledged deeper collaboration with federal polytechnics to tackle longstanding challenges confronting the sector.
Speaking during the resumed budget defence session of federal polytechnics, the committee chairman, Fuad Laguda, described polytechnics as central to Nigeria’s industrialisation and technological advancement agenda.
Laguda acknowledged the institutions’ critical role in producing middle-level manpower, noting that their contributions remain indispensable to national growth and development.
“The country’s quest for technological advancement cannot be achieved without well-funded and properly equipped technical institutions,” he said, emphasising the need for sustained investment in the polytechnic system.
He assured stakeholders of the committee’s support, stating, “We are always partners in progress. Everything we do is to improve and make things work better.”
The lawmaker also urged the Committee of Federal Rectors to ensure that institutions yet to submit their budget documents do so promptly to enable effective legislative oversight.
While approving the budget performance reports of federal polytechnics nationwide, the committee raised concerns over compliance lapses and staffing constraints at the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN).
Laguda questioned the council’s operational structure, particularly the management of eight regional offices with only 58 staff members. He sought clarification on how the council sustains coordination and effective service delivery amid the apparent staffing limitations.
Responding, the CPN Registrar, Adegbiji, assured the committee of the council’s commitment to fulfilling its constitutional mandate. He noted that the CPN is empowered to regulate and accredit private organisations operating within Nigeria’s Information and Communication Technology sector.
He further pledged to submit all requested documents within the stipulated timeframe, reaffirming the council’s readiness to cooperate fully with the committee in the interest of accountability and improved sector performance.
