Sirajo Shinkafi, the rector of Zamfara Polytechnic in Talata Mafara, has bemoaned the alarming rate of brain drain plaguing the state-owned institution.
The dire situation, characterized by a dearth of qualified staff and dilapidated infrastructure, came to light during a visit by the state government’s panel.
Shinkafi, addressing the delegation on Thursday, highlighted the critical challenges faced by the polytechnic.
“We are lacking in infrastructure and human resources. Most of our staff have left because of poor remuneration, welfare, and dilapidated structures. As I speak to you now, we lack manpower in all the departments and units of this institution,” he disclosed.
The impact of the brain drain is palpable, with only 11 permanent staff in the security unit.
To cope, the institution had to resort to hiring casual staff to secure its premises.
The rector emphasized that Zamfara Polytechnic currently stands as the least paying polytechnic in Nigeria, with staff enduring harsh working conditions.
Commending Governor Dauda Lawal for initiating a rescue mission, Shinkafi expressed gratitude for the governor’s declaration of an emergency on education in the state.
The visitation panel, led by Jafaru Abubakar-Sadiq, was hailed as the first of its kind since the creation of the state in 1996. Mr. Shinkafi also acknowledged the pivotal role played by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund), preventing the collapse of the polytechnic through the execution of multi-million naira projects.
In response, Abubakar-Sadiq, the panel chair, outlined the committee’s mission to assess the institution’s conditions for necessary upgrades.
“This committee was established by Governor Lawal and aimed to transform tertiary education in the state for the better. We are here on a fact-finding mission; we are all committed to supporting the government’s efforts to improve the quality of tertiary education in the state,” he stated.
NAN
