The House of Representatives Committee on Polytechnics and Other Higher Technical Education has expressed shock at the revelation that Federal Polytechnic Ugep in Cross River State spends over ₦600 million annually on personnel and overhead costs, despite having only 142 students and 154 staff members (academic and non-academic).
Details of the Spending
During a budget performance review presented by the Rector, Professor Edward N. Okey, it was revealed that:
₦496 million is spent on personnel annually.
₦159 million is allocated for overhead costs.
₦38 million was used for local travel.
Additionally, the institution received a ₦20 billion take-off grant, which was reportedly used to renovate an abandoned community school for temporary use and to develop structures at the Institute of Technology Management (ITM), now serving as the polytechnic’s permanent site.
Committee’s Reactions
The Committee Chairman, Fouad Kayode Laguda, and members criticized the institution’s expenditure, describing it as “wasteful and unsustainable.”
A member compared the student population to that of a primary school, stating:
“If you have 142 students, that’s like an elementary school. In my village, we have a primary school with more than 500 students. A federal polytechnic spending almost ₦500 million on personnel and ₦159 million on overhead for 142 students is unjustifiable.”
The Chairman also expressed disappointment in the presentations made by Ugep and other South-South institutions during the oversight session. He noted that none of the seven schools present met the required standards, despite being notified weeks in advance.
Rector’s Defense
Professor Okey explained that the polytechnic faced initial challenges due to its rural location and the lack of suitable infrastructure. The institution began operations in 2021 with just 16 students and has since grown to 142 students, including those absorbed from ITM. He argued that the polytechnic had made significant progress for a recently established institution.
Committee’s Verdict
The Committee demanded accountability and better justification for the institution’s expenditure, emphasizing the need for prudence in managing public funds. The chairman also pointed out that some institutions, including one from the South-South region, failed to appear for the oversight function altogether, further reflecting poorly on administrative management.