By Auwal Ahmed Ibrahim, Goronyo
In a rejoinder, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) said its attention has been drawn to a purported circular being circulated by the leadership of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), claiming the constitution of a so-called “NBTE–NAPS Accreditation and Verification Taskforce Committee.”
The Board said for the avoidance of doubt and to set the records straight enumerated key highlights as follows:
1. NBTE has not at any time approved, endorsed, or authorized the formation of any joint taskforce committee with NAPS or any student body for the purpose of accreditation and verification.
2. Accreditation, verification, and quality assurance of Polytechnics, Monotechnics, and allied institutions remain the sole statutory responsibility of the NBTE, as provided under the laws establishing the Board. These responsibilities cannot be delegated, shared, or ceded to external associations, student unions, or private bodies.
3. The said circular by NAPS is therefore misleading, unauthorized, and should be disregarded by all stakeholders, institutions, and the general public.
4. The Board wishes to categorically distance itself from the claims contained in the said publication. Any individual or group parading themselves as members of such committee are doing so without the knowledge, consent, or approval of NBTE, and stakeholders are advised not to engage with them in any capacity.
The report said NBTE remains committed to its statutory mandate of regulating Technical and Vocational Education in Nigeria with utmost integrity, professionalism, and in accordance with due process.