NBTE Blacklists Novelty Polytechnic

The National Board for Technical Education, (NBTE) has blacklisted Novelty Polytechnic, Kishi, Oyo State till further notice following petitions and complaints against the institution.

The decision was contained in a statement by Yakubu Ibrahim, Director, Inspectorate Department of the board and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday 13 November.

According to Mr. Ibrahim the Board had received several petitions and complaints against the Polytechnic which alleged that the institution was offering unapproved programmes and also operating illegal campuses existing either as outreach/study centres or satellite campuses.

He also said the Board, in collaboration with the State Security Service,(SSS), carried out discreet investigations on the allegations.

“Findings of the investigations revealed that there is an act of outright violation of government policy on the ban on Satellite Campuses and Outreach/ Study Centres by the Novelty Polytechnic, Kishi, Oyo State.

“And also a contravention of the Board’s Regulations on Offering Unapproved Programmes and Affiliations with other Institutions.

“Consequent upon the above, the Board has taken the following decisive actions which were communicated to the institution: Sales of forms and admission into all unapproved programmes are to be stopped with immediate effect.

“All affiliations with Institutions or consulting firms to operate outreach/ study centres or satellite campuses are stopped without further delay.

“All new admissions for approved/accredited programmes and quality assurance visitations to the Institution are suspended until there is compliance”.

Mr. Ibrahim added that failure to comply with the above directives would lead to immediate withdrawal of the institution’s operational license by the Board.

He said the Board would also continue to monitor compliances to these directives.

“The Federal Government enacted Act 16 (Education National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) and Act 9 (Education National Minimum Standards and Establishment) Act mandates the Board to accredit academic programmes in all Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) Institutions.

“The General public is hereby advised to note as follows: The above decisions on Novelty Polytechnic, Kishi and to avoid patronising its illegal satellite campuses that have now been closed.

“Before admission forms of any Technical Institutions awarding National and Higher National Diploma certificates are obtained, it is paramount to visit the NBTE official website www.nbte.gov.ng in order to access the Directory of Accredited Programmes to confirm if it is recognised and its programmes are approved/accredited or not,” he said

Furthermore, he explained that candidates could as well visit any of the NBTE Zonal Offices across the six geo-political zones in the country for confirmation of accreditation status of any TVET Institution in Nigeria.

He said that students who graduated from unapproved institutions and programmes would not be mobilized for the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.

There would be no career progression or academic advancement for holders of certificates of unaccredited programmes, saying such certificates cannot be used for employment or upgrading and promotion in the civil service.

“Below are the following locations of outreach/study centers of Novelty polytechnic.

• Astute Solutions and Consulting Firm Ltd. in Abuja Campus- No. 2 Dodo street Abuja, Minna Campus-Behind Rano filling Station, Bida Road, Pakurungu, Minna, Niger State.

• Suleja Campus, Bida Campus, Ibadan Campus- Alafia Estate, Borehole, Owode, Apata, Ibadan, Think Tank ACADEMY in Ogun Campus -No. 4, Victory Avenue, Magoro, Off Magada Road, Ogun State.

• “Headmaster Academy in Igando Campus, Lagos-15, Bayo Tijani Street, Igando Lagos state, Access to Education and Skills Acquisition Centre International Ltd. (ACESA)-No. 24 Saratu street off Obaakran Road, off Peru Bus-Stop, Ogba Agege, Lagos State and ABVIC Academy Consult, Mowe, Ogun state,” he said.

Source: Daily Nigeria