The immediate past Rector of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) Abeokuta, Dr. Adeoye Odedeji has expressed satisfaction with fulfillment of mandate given to him by government to bring the Ogun State Government owned institution back to life from extinction.
This was after the exit of the immediate past administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun whose government effort at upgrading the polytechnic to a university of science and technology generated so much controversy that stagnated one of Nigeria's foremost tertiarty institutions for two years between 2017 and 2019
The former Rector in an exclusive chat with Edu-Biznews, revealed the untold story behind the restoration of MAPOLY, particularly with the visit by a team of top government officials led by Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, the Secretary to Ogun State Government to Kaduna to engage members of board and management of National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) on the approval of Governor Dapo Abiodun
At the meeting, it was resolved that the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) would have to pay a visit to the institution and revalidate its status as one of the polytechnics in Nigeria to run both National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) academic programmes, having convinced the members of board of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) with relevant documents and facts that Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) had been returned to status quo by law.
He explained that before his appointment as Rector on December 6th, 2019, MAPOLY was not in existence going by the delisting of the polytechnic by NBTE and the then two existing laws before the coming of the Prince (Dr) Dapo Abiodun's administration on May 29, 2019. One of the two laws upgraded the institution (MAPOLY) to Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology, Abeokuta, transferring all the assets and liabilities of MAPOLY to the university while the second law as passed by the eight legislature of the State House of Assembly, established Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia.
But with the pronouncement of (executive order) by Governor Dapo Abiodun later after his inauguration on May 29, 2019, returning the institution (MAPOLY) to the status-quo and a bill amending the existing law establishing the then MAUSTECH, was passed by the ninth legislature and assented to by the Governor, then the defunct MAPOLY was legally returned to status quo.
Dr. Odedeji disclosed that in January, 2020, the State Government set up a high powered delegation led by the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, former Chief of Staff to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Alhaji Shuaib Afolabi Salisu now representing Ogun Central Senetorial District at the Senate including himself, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr Adewole who is now, a Judge and the immediate past Rector , Dr. Odedina, to engage with the NBTE for re-validation of MAPOLY after the Institution was removed from the list of polytechnics in the country between 2017 and 2019.
Consequently, NBTE according to him, came to MAPOLY between 3rd and 7th February 2020 for revalidation of the Institution at instance and sponsorship of Ogun State Government. "The result of re-validation visit by the NBTE was communicated to Ogun State Government on February 13th, 2020, with a letter of approval issued by NBTE which reinstated MAPOLY to status -quo and also officially returned the Institution to the comity of polytechnics in Nigeria", he revealed
Dr. Odedeji described his tenure as Rector as the most turbulent in the history of over 45-year-old institution, saying the student population of the institution reduced drastically during the period from the initial 30,000 to about 12,000 students, making it very difficult to generate revenue enough to pay salaries and run the system seamlessly.
Throughout the five years tenure, the polytechnic was having budget deficits and there was not enough money to meet the Institution’s obligations."When I took over the affairs of the polytechnic on December 6, 2019, I met six months unpaid salaries and allowances. Despite the situation, I met on ground in 2019, by the time I was leaving on 5th of December 2024, I paid all the salaries and allowances till date".
Contrary to the widely believed impression that the Institution was generating enough fund to pay salary and run the system, Dr. Odedeji disclosed that MAPOLY was running budget deficits, surviving mainly on bank loans, as well as bail-out and loans from the State Government.
"For the five years the sum of ₦1.341 billion was taken as loans from banks and government to strictly pay salaries and clear all the outstanding salaries and allowances of workers. Out of this ₦1.341 billion, the sum of ₦441 million was taken as loan from a bank to pay the 6 months outstanding salary in 2019 and after the Covid -19 lockdown in September 2020, the state government extended a soft loan of ₦200 million to also pay outstanding salaries of August and September 2020 on the December 24th, 2020. Again, in the January 2021, another ₦100 million soft loan was granted to the polytechnic to pay November salary of 2020 by the State Government. All these three (3) loans totalling ₦741 million naira were being repaid using the polytechnic monthly subvention from government and it took the polytechnic three (3) and a half year to complete the repayment of this ₦741 million, meaning that the polytechnic did not have access to its monthly subvention from government for three (3) and a half year. In 2021, the polytechnic again had to obtain another bank loan of ₦300 million due to insufficient internally generated revenue (IGR) and mounting pressure from unions and members of staff because of inability to pay salary and allowances as at when due. The loan was being repaid using the internally generated revenue (IGR). By the time the last tranche of the loan was to be due and paid, the bank was approached again by the polytechnic to obtain another ₦300 million to meet salary obligations to members of staff in 2022. At the expiration of my tenure on the 5th of December 5th, 2024, the last tranche of the 2022 loan which was due for payment in September 2024, was rescheduled for payment on December 27th, 2024, due to paucity of funds in the polytechnic. It should be noted that the polytechnic obtained express approval from the Executive Governor, Prince (Dr)Dapo Abiodun before the loans were processed and secured", he revealed
Dr. Odedeji however expressed with satisfaction that MAPOLY during his tenure as Rector, was relatively stable as the system was running. Through accreditation hosted in 2022, several new academic programmes came on stream, revealing eight (8) out of nine (9) new academic programmes introduced were accredited by NBTE consisting of new six (6) HND courses and two (2) ND courses. While many other existing programmes which accreditation status has expired were equally reaccredited.
The accreditation excercise he stated , was funded by Ogun State Government bearing in mind the paucity of funds in the polytechnic.
According to him, in 2023 NBTE accredited National Diploma ND programme in Social Development in the School of Communication and Information Technology now admitting students for the 2024/2025 academic session.
"It must be emphasized that the polytechnic A levels alumni played a very important role in ensuring the success of this accreditation exercise of "Social Development" programme as all the facilities, equipment and books were procured and supplied to the polytechnic by this 1983 set of alumni"he said
The former Rector said that the accreditation of additional academic programmes relatively influenced the increment of the student population and internally generated revenue of the institution.
He added that the tuition fees payable by students were successfully reviewed twice. The first one from ₦41,000 to ₦48,000 for non-science full time students and from ₦46,000 to ₦53,000 for science, technology and engineering full time students in 2021. The second review happened in 2023/2024 from ₦48,000 to ₦130,000 (non-science full time students) and ₦53,000 to ₦135,000 science, technology and engineering full time students. This was achieved after long collective bargaining (spanning from October 2023 to January 2024) between the management, students’ union body and NANS officials.
The polytechnic labour unions officials were initially part of the negotiations, but shortly pull-out citing ethical reasons.
However, students’ union pleaded during negotiations that returning students should magnanimously be allowed to pay their previous school fees which they paid in their first year.
After extensive negotiation, an agreement was reached that ₦10,000 should be added to the previous payment, meaning that non science students of ND2 and HND2 would pay ₦58,000 and it is at once while science-based students of ND2 and HND2 full time would pay ₦63,000 at once for that session only. Under my watch, the process of registration and payment of tuition by students were fully digitalized. This has increased revenue into the confers of the school as linkages have been blocked.Dr. Odedeji was full of appreciation for the Prince Dapo Abiodun's administration for the release of N480 million to the school for payment of outstanding salaries of workers between October and December 2023 to ensure the take-off of the 2023/2024 academic session as well as its completion,
The 2023/2024 academic session ended on the 30th of November 2024 and the new session of 2024/2025 commenced on the 2nd of December 2024 after the Academic Board's approval of the 2024/2025 academic calendar on 2nd December 2024.
Dr Odedeji equally stated that eleven (11) semester exams were conducted during his five-year tenure as he inherited an outstanding semester exams from his predecessor (2018/2019 , second semester exams) due to the crisis that engulfed the polytechnic.
He also successfully operated ten semesters during the period under review and mobilised final year HND2 students for NYSC and conducted five admissions for the intake of new students.
"The polytechnic enjoyed the financial support of the Ogun State Government through grants given to it particularly during covid-19 pandemic and 2022 accreditation exercise. The alumni of the institution equally supported in the area of infrastructure such as solar power, online radio station equipment, generator for the polytechnic radio station, refurbishing and equipping of TV studio in department of Mass Communication, donation of books, funds for awards to best students, support during accreditation exercises in various departments and public address systems to ensure effective lecture delivery in various classrooms to students by lecturers. "The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) also constructed, equipped a 250 set of computers CBT centre with other facilities including transformer, a generator, cloud and other ICT equipment and Total Energies constructed restrooms for both male and female students and staff separately equipped with modern facilities and motorised borehole while the Alumni set of 1994 from Marketing Department donated a magnificent building christened "Marketing Legacy House" to the polytechnic, " he added
'Moreover, a land has been allocated to the 1983 set of Accountancy Department for the construction of Accountancy Tech Hub" as well as collaboration with GIZ, CISCO, HUAWEI, and Igbesa Free Trade Zone on Competence Based Training (Skills Development)", Dr. Odedeji disclosed
He also appreciated TETFUND for provision of funds for the building and equipping of Centre for Skill Development which is to provide mandatory skills qualifications training for final year students at NDII and HNDII levels in Plumbing, Electrical Installation and GSM Repairs as well as members of the public.
In addition, a centre for career service has also been established in the same premises with the support of TETFUND to provide career guidance or career advisory services to students by Career Guidance Counselors.
On staff welfare and promotion, Dr. Odedeji was quick to add that 40 members of non-regular staff regarded as associates were upgraded to Full-time staff either lecturers or Non-Academic Officers in the year 2024.
Also 17 Principal Lecturers were promoted to Chief Lecturers among whom are the current rector, DS Adegbenro ICT polytechnic and the deputy rector, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta. 24 Principal lecturers, 6 Chief Accountants, 7 Deputy Registrars, 7 Chief Executive Officers, 2 Chief Confidential Secretaries, 2 Chief Librarians and 1 Chief Technologist were appointed among other key appointments within five years. One of the two Chief Librarians promoted has been elevated to the rank of Polytechnic Librarian, Mapoly which is a principal cadre in the polytechnic
Similarly, 24 members of staff (no academic) enjoyed conversion to different grades in 2024. It was the first time in the history of the polytechnic that guidelines for conversion process were established, and it came into existence through negotiated agreement btween management and labour unions.
Considering the paucity of funds, it is unavoidable to make some sacrifice. For example, Dr Odedeji said that between 2019 and 2024 no new furniture, equipment and window blinds was procured in the Rector 's office, neither official cars were provided for Rector and Bursar who have just completed their tenure nor official quarters provided nor payment of rent in lieu of accommodation made to the Rector as stated in his letter of appointment.
"None of the Management staff was procured official car except the immediate past Registrar who was given half of the amount of what could have been used to procure him an official car. And many other sacrifices were made by Council, management, staff and students in the polytechnic.
On staff discipline, he revealed that based on recommendations, four (4) members of staff were suspended for various offences after allegations against them have been adjudicated upon and found guilty by Staff Disciplinary Committees of the Iinstitution. No staff was dismissed during my tenure. Dr. Odedeji also stated that there was rancour free election process for the students to elect their representatives in the Students Union through electronic voting system initiated during his tenure in the past five years.
Equally the Director of Schools and Heads of various departments were elected through democratic process in line with the Polytechnic Act, 2019.The former Rector added that he delivered on all the mandate given as regards to returning the polytechnic to the path of growth and development from the state of comatose he met the polytechnic, saying his administration was focused on regaining the lost glory of the Iinstitution.
"This is justified by the fact that three candidates jostled for the position of the Rector when it was advertised in preparation for the appointment of my successor who would be taking over by December 6th, 2024. Two of the candidates were from Mapoly and one was from another polytechnic. The interest these candidates showed indicates the existence of relatively stable system, though a growing concern", he
He expressed his gratitude to God almighty and sincere appreciation to the Executive Governor of Ogun State for giving him the opportunity to serve the polytechnic and Ogun State.
He also expresses his appreciation to the Deputy Governor of Ogun state, Secretary to the State Government, the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, other members of the executive council in Ogun State, the Governing Council of MAPOLY, Members of House of Assembly, Heads of Security Agencies in Ogun State, Heads of Other Tertiary Institutions, Permanent Secretaries, the Paramount Ruler of Yewa land, other Paramount Rulers , Olubara of Ibara, other Obas in Ogun State, Yewa Think Tank and other very senior government officials as well as the management, staff, students, alumni members and other stakeholders.
Dr. Odedeji completed his five-year tenure in office on 5th of December 2024 before handing over to Dr (Arc.) Babatunde Adekoyejo Jolaoso as the 10th substantive Rector of the instrument on Monday 9th of December 2024.
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