LAGOS – Nigeria’s apex students body, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa to save students of the institution by complying with the directive from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on regulations.
NANS in a statement signed by Senator Akinteye Afeez Babatunde, President of the Senate, lamented that some students of FEDPOLY OFFA who completed their National Diploma (ND) on a part-time mode are facing significant challenges due to the institution’s refusal to comply with the JAMB directives on regulation.
Recall that JAMB recently gave one-month marching order to tertiary institutions in the country to disclose all admissions conducted outside its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), before 2017 and regularise such.
The NANS statement read in parts, “This failure by the institution has led to a situation where these students are now unable to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, an essential component of their professional and personal development.
“The refusal of Federal Polytechnic Offa to submit the required list for regularization not only jeopardizes the future careers of these students but also reflects poorly on the institution’s commitment to its students.
“The NYSC programme is a critical phase in the life of Nigerian graduates, offering them the opportunity to contribute to national development while gaining valuable work experience. Without the opportunity to serve, these students face an uncertain future, as many employers consider NYSC certification a prerequisite for employment.”
According to NANS, the institution’s neglect to heed the regularisation opportunity by JAMB has put the affected students at a significant disadvantage that could undermining their hard-earned qualifications.
“Federal Polytechnic Offa has a fundamental responsibility to ensure that all students under its care are provided with the necessary support to complete their academic journey successfully.
“By failing to adhere to JAMB’s directive, the institution is neglecting its duties and causing undue hardship to its students. It is imperative that the management of the institution takes immediate action to rectify this oversight by submitting the necessary documentation for regularization.
“This step is not merely a bureaucratic formality but a critical intervention to secure the future of the affected students.
“We urge the administration of Federal Polytechnic Offa to prioritize this issue and act swiftly to comply with JAMB’s directive. The students have already endured enough uncertainty and frustration due to this oversight.
“The institution must recognize the gravity of the situation and take the necessary steps to ensure that these students are not left behind.”
NANS appealed to student bodies, alumni, and other concerned stakeholders to join in advocating for the prompt resolution of the issue as it could stagnate the academic and professional progressions of the students.
The association called on the Federal Ministry of Education to launch an immediate investigation into Federal Polytechnic Offa’s failure to comply with the JAMB directive on regularization., saying this has become necessary to ensure accountability and to prevent such issues from recurring in the future.
