The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has taken a significant step by blacklisting Novelty Polytechnic in Kishi, Oyo State, until further notice. The decision comes in response to numerous petitions and complaints lodged against the institution. Yakubu Ibrahim, the Director of the Inspectorate Department at NBTE, made the announcement in a statement released in Abuja on Monday.
The investigation conducted by the NBTE, in collaboration with the State Security Service (SSS), was prompted by allegations that Novelty Polytechnic was offering unapproved programs and operating illegal campuses in the form of outreach or study centers. The findings of the investigation substantiated these complaints, revealing a clear violation of government policy on satellite campuses and outreach/study centers, as well as a breach of the NBTE’s regulations on unapproved programs and affiliations with other institutions.
To address these violations, the NBTE has instructed Novelty Polytechnic to immediately cease the sale of forms and admission into all unapproved programs. Any affiliations with institutions or consulting firms to operate outreach/study centers or satellite campuses must also be terminated without delay. Furthermore, new admissions for approved/accredited programs and quality assurance visitations to the institution have been suspended until compliance with the directives has been demonstrated.
Failure to comply with these measures will result in the NBTE revoking the operational license of the institution. The NBTE intends to maintain strict monitoring of the institution’s compliance with these directives.
This decisive action underscores the NBTE’s commitment to upholding the standards and regulations governing technical education in Nigeria. The blacklisting of Novelty Polytechnic serves as a warning to other institutions that may engage in similar practices, reiterating the significance of following approved programs and adhering to regulations.
