The Kebbi State Polytechnic, Dakingari, has expressed concern over the persistent low enrolment of students into its programs, despite the accreditation of several new courses.
Deputy Rector Sa’idu Aliyu-Dankolo raised the issue during a courtesy visit to the Kebbi State House of Assembly in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, accompanied by the institution’s management team and members of its governing council.
Speaking during the visit, Aliyu-Dankolo highlighted low enrolment as a major challenge threatening the institution’s growth and appeal, despite significant strides in expanding its academic offerings.
“The low enrolment of students is posing a threat to the development of the polytechnic,” he said.
“We, therefore, seek the support of members of the House by enrolling people from their constituencies to study in the institution towards minimising the problem and the overall development of the polytechnic and the education sector as well.”
The Deputy Rector noted that the polytechnic had recently secured accreditation for several programs aimed at meeting industry demands and attracting students. These include Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Science Laboratory Technology, Library and Information Science, as well as courses in Biology, Physics, and Chemistry.
Despite these efforts, the institution has struggled to draw adequate numbers of students, a situation that Aliyu-Dankolo described as “worrisome and detrimental to the institution’s mission.”
In response, the Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Mohammed Usman-Zuru, represented by his deputy, Muhammad Sama’ila-Bagudo, assured the institution of the assembly’s support in addressing the issue. He urged the polytechnic to investigate the root causes of the low enrolment to craft effective solutions.
“We are committed to supporting education in the state, and we encourage the polytechnic to identify the factors discouraging prospective students. Together, we can develop strategies to overcome this challenge,” Sama’ila-Bagudo stated.
Established in 2014 under the administration of former Governor Saidu Dakingari, the Kebbi State Polytechnic was founded to expand access to higher education for the state’s indigent population. However, the current enrolment trends threaten its foundational goals, prompting the management to appeal for stronger community and legislative engagement.
The polytechnic’s appeal to the assembly also seeks to underscore the broader importance of technical education in driving economic growth and equipping youths with relevant skills.
