Recent graduates of Graceland Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara state are facing a certificate crisis as they struggle to obtain their well-deserved diplomas. Temilade Odedele, a dedicated teacher and mentor from Osun State who has been assisting students through extra-mural classes, has shed light on the issue, revealing that the root cause of the problem lies in unaccredited courses offered at the institution.
Established in 2013 on the initiative of Princess Ayodele Olufemi Oyeleke, Graceland Polytechnic aimed to provide full-time and part-time courses in technology, applied science, commerce, management, industrial agricultural production and distribution, and research. However, the accreditation status of certain programmes has come under scrutiny, leaving graduates in a state of dismay.
According to Temilade Odedele, students preparing for the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams, a significant number of his former students who enrolled in Graceland Polytechnic to pursue National Diploma programmes, including Mass Communication and Science Laboratory Technology, have been unable to receive their certificates. These students had put in effort and dedication to earn their qualifications..
Further investigation revealed that the cause of the certificate crisis lies in the inclusion of courses that lack accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). As the regulatory body overseeing technical education in Nigeria, the NBTE ensures the quality and standardisation of educational programmes offered by polytechnics nationwide. Accreditation by the NBTE is crucial for ensuring the academic excellence and industry relevance of courses.
Temilade Odedele, speaking about the affected students, expressed his concerns regarding their predicament: “I have personally witnessed the frustration faced by these students who have worked tirelessly to excel in their studies. It is disheartening to see their efforts unrecognized due to the presence of unaccredited courses at Graceland Polytechnic. The management must address this issue promptly to ensure these deserving students receive their well-earned certificates.”
The teacher and mentor’s statement serves as a valuable insight into the struggles faced by the affected students and highlights the urgency of resolving the situation. Temilade Odedele’s firsthand experience and dedication to his students make his concerns particularly poignant.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Graceland Polytechnic’s management regarding the issue have been unsuccessful at the time of reporting. However, it is hoped that the institution will take swift action to rectify the situation by seeking accreditation for the affected courses and issuing the long-awaited certificates to deserving graduates.
The situation faced by these students emphasises the importance of thorough research and due diligence when selecting an educational institution. Prospective students and their parents are urged to consider the accreditation status of courses before enrollment to avoid similar distressing scenarios in the future.
As the education community awaits a resolution to this ongoing issue, it is crucial that relevant authorities intervene to safeguard the rights of the affected students and uphold the credibility of diplomas awarded by Nigerian institutions.
However, all efforts to elicit valuable information from the institution’s registrar, Ibitoye proved abortive because he would not answer questions.
