…laments slow pace of Tetfund projects on campus
Seun Shotunde, Abeokuta
Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Alumni Association (MAPALUM) has decried the state of inadequate funding of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, by the Ogun State Government and the slow pace of Tetfund projects in the institution.
Recall that Senior Staff Association of the institution (SSANIP) recently said in a statement that the school was grappling with insufficient government funding, reduction in students’ enrolment and rising accreditation problems.
SSANIP had expressed regret that the monthly subvention to the institution had remained static over 10 years inspite of economic challenges confronting the nation, stating that the current allocation of ₦20.75m falls far short of the institution’s monthly salary obligation of over ₦210m.
But reacting to the development at a press conference held at the institution on Tuesday, the National President of MAPALUM, Alhaji Ayinde Soaga, said that adequate funding of the school was long overdue, expressing regret that the institution which had produced world-class personalities should not be in such a mess.
Soaga, who called on the Dapo Abiodun-led administration to, as a matter of urgency, come to the rescue of the MAPOLY and increase the budgetary allocation to the school, said that the institution renowned for producing best brains in Mass Communication, Architecture, Accounting, Engineering and others should not be held back by funding for continuous development.
He said, “The money that is given them here is inadequate for the kind of teaching that they require. You see Polytechnic education is not about reading alone, it is about demonstration, competence and I am glad that MAPOLY has distinguished itself by producing graduates who have excelled nationwide, particularly in Mass Communication, Accounting, Architecture and Engineering.
“These are areas handsome experiences with the knowledge our graduates are excelling in. I call on government to increase the funding for Polytechnic education, give them more money because what they are given right now is inadequate and I appeal to the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun to, please, increase the vote, the budget, the money that is given to MAPOLY and other institutions across the state.”
The MAPALUM National President also appealed for more Tetfund projects from the Federal Government to the institution, lamenting the 20% of the initiative to Polytechnics across the country, while stressing the Alumni support to facilitate more of the projects to MAPOLY.
“The rector is an alumnus, I know what his is doing. He is looking for money every where, he has come to tetfund in Abuja asking for money to develop this Polytechnic. What I am saying, if they have money, they will do better. The Alumni is also doing something on the tetfund project, and I assure you by God’s grace, we will get tetfund support.”
Soaga, who also decried the bad condition of roads in the Polytechnic, said that members of MAPALUM would reach out to well meaning individuals and stakeholders on the construction and reconstruction of roads at the institution.
“The road to the school is very bad I think that the MAPOLY Alumni association will do what we can to see how we can reach out to see those we can reach out to those who can help us to come and develop this road because the roads are very bad,” he noted.
He charged the new entrants for 2025/2026 academic session not to be discouraged by Polytechnic certificate challenges, urging them to be self-reliant and not dependent on salary earning jobs, noting that if they were serious with their studies that could create jobs by themselves with what they learn at the school.
“Students of MAPOLY should not think of government jobs but be self-reliant. When you are trained in MAPOLY here, look for things to do. You will make more money than getting salaries. Graduates should stop looking for salaries and go and engage themselves in many things and they will be better.” he added.
