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The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP), Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta Branch, has called on the Ogun State Government to look into the current challenges facing the institution in order to keep it running and protect the future of its students.
The union in a statement signed by its chairman, Comrade Tunde Abiodun and the secretary, Comrade Olutosin Ogundeyi on Monday, pointed out the inadequate government subvention to the institution, adding that it remained unchanged for over a decade despite current economic hardship.
They called for an upward review of the current monthly subvention of N20.75 million given to the polytechnic, explaining that the institution actually needs over N210 million just to pay its staff.
According to them, the institution had relied on internally generated revenue to sustain basic activities, maintain infrastructure, support academic programmes, but can no longer survive on IGR alone.
The SSANIP also attributed the decline in student population over the years to several factors, including programme accreditation challenges, increasing competition among tertiary institutions, and infrastructural limitation, arguing that the reduction in student enrolment has affected the financial capacity of the institution to sustain academic and administrative activities.
The statement reads, “A major concern is the issue of inadequate government subvention to the institution, which has remained unchanged for over a decade despite current economic realities.
“Closely related to this is the noticeable decline in student population over the years, which has reduced internally generated revenue. The issue of accreditation of academic programmes by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) also requires urgent attention.
“Accreditation exercises demand substantial investment in laboratories, workshops, libraries, teaching equipment, and staff development.
“Without adequate financial support, departments will not be able to meet the required standards, which would ultimately affect admissions into some programmes and further reduce the attractiveness and competitiveness of the Polytechnic.
“Furthermore, many facilities within the institution require rehabilitation, modernization, and expansion to meet the demands of contemporary teaching, learning, and technological training.
“In view of the foregoing, SSANIP MAPOLY calls on the Ogun State Government to urgently review the current level of subvention to the Polytechnic, which presently stands at N20.75 million monthly, as against the institution’s monthly salary obligation of over N210 million.”
The union urged the government to provide special financial intervention to support accreditation of programmes and invest in the rehabilitation and development of infrastructure within the institution.
They described the polytechnic as a “strategic asset” that the state cannot afford to lose, maintaining that investing in MAPOLY is not just a favor to the staff, but a vital move for youth empowerment and the socio-economic stability of Ogun State.
“We urge the Ogun State Government to give prompt attention to these pressing issues in the interest of the institution, its staff, students, and the future of technical education in Ogun State” the statement added.
The union, however, reiterated its commitment to maintaining industrial harmony and supporting every genuine effort aimed at moving the institution forward
MAPOLY staff union decries funding gap, calls for Ogun govt intervention
