• Float poly satellite campuses, fleece applicants
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) seems to have gone on “official slumber” or perhaps, slowed down on its responsibilities as the regulatory body for technical colleges in Nigeria, particularly the polytechnics and Innovation Enterprise Institutions (IEIs).
This, unfortunately, led to some people/institutions, knowingly or otherwise, violating some rules of engagement as established by NBTE particularly as regards the operations of satellite campuses by polytechnics and other IEIs.
In 2019, the Federal Government banned polytechnics from operating study centres and campuses outside their approved base (satellite campuses), for being short in quality and standard.
It warned that whatever qualifications obtained from the study centres and satellite campuses would not be recognised for further studies or enlistment into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, as well as for employment and promotion.
Then Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, asked prospective candidates to be wary of the ban and avoid placing themselves in regrettable situations. But unfortunately, many students are still caught up in the operations of the satellite campuses as recently discovered.
Recent investigation by The Education Report, indicated that several polytechnics have displayed some form of recalcitrance and had resumed the operation of satellite campuses in clear violation of the directive by NBTE.
Either directly or by proxy, the satellite campuses are springing up in Abuja and several other locations in the country. Thousands of innocent students are being swindled with promise of “certificate” including NYSC discharge or exemption certificate.
However, there are accusations from some polytechnics that the attention of the NBTE has been drawn to the activities of these “fraudsters” who have been using the name of some institutions to run satellite campuses thus defrauding innocent applicants.
Some NBTE officials were accused of compromise in their responsibilities of monitoring the activities of the polytechnics or deliberately working as accomplices.
It was further revealed that privately-owned polytechnics are mostly involved in the deals. They are “reaping” financially from thousands of unsuspecting students.
Few weeks ago, The Education Report gathered that “some people” used the name of Novelty Polytechnic, Kishi, Oyo State, to operate satellite campuses in Lagos, Abuja, Oyo, Ogun and Niger states, among several other locations.
Same was the case with NACABS Polytechnic, Akwanga, Nasarawa State; Temple Gate Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State and Heritage Polytechnic, Eket, Akwa-Ibom State, all being operated by Bright Management Concept Institute (BMCI), Abuja.
Hundreds of students were admitted for different academic programmes in these satellite campuses. Findings indicated that the operators offered programmes including Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes neither known to the parent-schools nor being offered in their respective main campuses.
Mr. Lanre Ogundipe, member, Governing Board, Novelty Polytechnic, confirmed to The Education Report that the “fraudsters” have been operating the satellite campuses with forged information and endorsement from the school: “Unfortunately, they have tempered with the reputation of the institution, in addition to defrauding innocent students over N50 million in the name of academic programmes that are not even being offered in the parent-school.
“I took time to visit the locations. I could confirm that these people have defrauded lots of innocent people using the name of Novelty Polytechnic. In the cause of my visit, I realised that the team operating these satellite campuses is led by someone who was employed in the school few years ago as a canvasser.
“But all of a sudden, he ballooned and allocated himself powers that he never had and began to operate satellite campuses in the name of Novelty Polytechnic. These fraudsters used the name of Novelty Polytechnic to operate these satellite campuses in several locations in Lagos, Abuja, Oyo, Ogun and Niger states, among several others as discovered so far.
“From our findings, they offer several programmes including Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes that are not being offered in the main campus in Kishi, Oyo State.
“But our most disappointment was that the NBTE that is suppose to put a check on such illegal activities seems to be quiet to this fraud despite several efforts, formally and informally, that we have made to get them to shutting down the satellite campuses identified so far.”
Ogundipe made reference to letters written to NBTE in January, February, March and the recent ones of April 15th 24 and 25, 2023, relating to the subject matter but neither reply nor expected actions were not taken against the activities of the fraudsters:
“Only for a letter to come from the Inspectorate Directorate of NBTE notifying us about the decision to shut down the school for operating satellite campuses in violation of NBTE rules.
“It’s an indication that something was wrong somewhere. We had written to NBTE several times to notify them about the activities of these fraudsters using the name of Novelty Polytechnic to operate satellite campuses, but no action was taken by the board in response.
“We had called their attention to these activities but silence was the response we got. So, I wonder how they suddenly decided to shut down our school for alleged violation of rules as regards the operation of satellite campuses being run by fraudsters. Something must be wrong somewhere.”
Another board member, Mr. Dele Fanimo, confirmed that the management of the school had reached out to the students in some of the satellite campuses, asking them to quit engagement with the fraudster-operators of the satellite campuses with no recognition nor affiliation with the Novelty Polytechnic.
He appealed to NBTE to reconsider its positions, making reference to several letters from the school regarding the issue and its demand for the closing of the satellite campuses.
He asked the NBTE and by extension, the Federal Ministry of Education, to do the needful to protect the reputation of the school and the destiny of students in the institution.
Investigation indicated that NACABS Polytechnic, Akwanga, has satellite campuses in Ado, Kabayi and other locations in Karu LGA, Nasarawa State, as well as in Garki Area 10, Lugbe, Kubwa and other locations in Abuja.
They are being run under the trade name of Bright Management Concept Institute (BMCI) Abuja. BMCI also operate satellite campuses for Temple Gate Polytechnic, Heritage Polytechnic, and Imo State University. They offer OND and HND courses in among others engineering, administration and social sciences.
A contact number in the letter-head of NACABS Polytechnic sighted by our correspondent identified through Truecaller one David (other name withheld Abuluya), confirmed that they operate these satellite campuses but refused to confirm the one in Ado. “Whoever is operating any satellite campus in Ado is a fraudster,” he insisted.
A female prospective student, Enoh (not real name), told our correspondent: “Thank God for a friend that saved me. I would have fallen victim of these fraudsters. Someone I trusted and still trust referred me to the satellite campus of NACABS Polytechnic in Ado, with strong conviction that the school was the best for me since I was interested in getting education. That was how I found myself there. I purchased the form for N5,000 which I paid to a manI met there.
“The man gave me more information about the school as I enquired. He also told me that I can start as soon as I want and as soon as I could pay my school fees which, according to him, was over N60, 000.
“It was when I returned home to fill the form that I began to ask questions about the school and my interest in running a programme there. This was because I was curious and troubled in my spirit. A friend who questioned the genuineness of the school referred me to NBTE official who told me that the operations of satellite campus has been banned by the Federal Government long ago. The official advised me not to participate in such activities because the school was not registered with them, hence its academic activities and certificates are illegal.”
Someone who also preferred anonymity said he started the school three years ago with N46,000 as school fees which was later increased to N65,000: “I can’t believe what you are saying about illegitimacy of the campus. We went to Akwanga to participate in the matriculation. Many of students have graduated and participated in NYSC programme. How can you now tell me that the school is illegal and unregistered? How do I also tell my people that the school I have been attending all these years is unregistered?”
Bacima (not real name), a student newly admitted into the Lugbe, Abuja, satellite campus of Temple Gate Polytechnic, said that he started classes few weeks ago and was yet to pay school fees: “I paid for the cost of admission form. They gave me their account number for the payment of the school fees (N69,000) but I am yet to get the complete amount.”
A BMCI lecturer identified through Truecaller as Gbande (other names withheldNgutsav Utu), insisted that the satellite campus of Temple Gate Polytechnic at Lugbe Primary School, Abuja, is genuine: “Have no fear if you are interested in our programme because we are legit. This centre started in 2015 and many people have passed through it successfully and had participated in NYSC.
“I can assure you that Federal Government is aware of the satellite campus. Besides, Temple Gate Polytechnic is not the only one operating a satellite campus at the Lugbe Primary School. There are several other polytechnics and even a university, Imo State University. So, I can assure that we are legit and recognised.”
When contacted on phone to speak on the matter, Director, Inspectorate Directorate, NBTE, Yakubu Ibrahim, rebuffed our correspondent. He claimed he’s unaware of the development and immediately ended the call.
However, the Executive Secretary, NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, who appreciated the opportunity to react to the development, insisted that satellite campuses are illegal: “Polytechnics are not allowed operate satellite campuses. It’s illegal and attract huge sanctions from NBTE. We have a whole Directorate that’s in charge of that. That is to show you the level of seriousness attached to the issue.
“The Inspectorate Directorate is always on the lookout for these satellite campuses. Once they are found, the security agencies are contacted for operations that would, expectedly, result in their shutdown.
“Whenever we discover one, we unleashed our might on the operators. The parent-polytechnics involved might loose opportunity for admission or even participating in NYSC, among other punitive actions. We frown at satellite campuses and all the institutions we supervise know that.”