The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has sounded the alarm over the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE)‘s reported plan to outsource polytechnic accreditation to private firms. ASUP has condemned the move as a dangerous step toward the commercialization of polytechnic regulation in Nigeria.
In a statement issued over the weekend, ASUP President, Comrade Shammah Kpanja, strongly rejected the policy, arguing that it undermines the credibility and integrity of technical and vocational education accreditation. The controversial policy, reportedly approved by the Minister of Education, seeks to transfer NBTE’s quality assurance responsibilities to private vendors due to a shortage of personnel. The board currently oversees 789 institutions nationwide and claims it is overwhelmed by the workload.
“A Threat to Education Standards”
ASUP, however, insists that outsourcing this crucial function to profit-driven private entities will create conflicts of interest, weaken regulatory oversight, and compromise accreditation standards. The union fears that allowing private firms access to sensitive institutional data could also lead to security breaches and corruption.
“This policy calls into question the continued relevance of NBTE as a public institution,” Kpanja stated. He further warned that ASUP, in collaboration with other stakeholders, would resist any attempt to implement the outsourcing plan.
Push for a Dedicated Polytechnic Commission
ASUP reiterated its longstanding demand for the unbundling of NBTE and the establishment of a National Commission for Polytechnics, similar to regulatory bodies for universities and colleges of education. The union believes that a specialized commission would enhance efficiency and uphold quality standards in technical and vocational education.
At a March 4, 2025, stakeholders’ meeting convened by NBTE, participants had unanimously rejected the outsourcing proposal. Instead, they advocated for the digitization of quality assurance processes, arguing that a well-implemented digital system would eliminate inefficiencies without compromising regulatory integrity.
ASUP’s Demands
In response to the ongoing crisis, ASUP is calling for:
A complete reversal of the outsourcing policy.
Immediate digitization of accreditation processes, with clear enforcement deadlines.
Adequate funding and technical support to ensure seamless implementation of digital oversight mechanisms.
With polytechnics already struggling with underfunding and administrative bottlenecks, ASUP insists that outsourcing accreditation will only worsen the education sector’s challenges. The union remains firm in its stance, vowing to resist any move that threatens the quality and independence of polytechnic education in Nigeria.
