If a word can be appropriately used to describe a situation in which the Kaduna Polytechnic, the largest Polytechnic in sub-Saharan Africa will be closed down since January this year, and with no prospect for re-opening in sight, that word would be unbelievable. The Kaduna Polytechnic has a population of 18,000 students, and staff strength of about 3,000. It is the oldest institution of its type in the north, and admits students from all over Nigeria, in spite of the existence of Polytechnics all over the country. It is the property of the Federal Government, and has one of the best academic reputations in the country. It is one of the largest investments of the Federal Government in Kaduna State, and represents a productive unit in the economy of the State. Much of the security of the State is sensitive to events and developments in and around the Polytechnic. Yet this institution was closed down twice last year, and has been shut down again since January this year after the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) resumed its strike.
So much has happened since the resumed strike in January without, however, the institution being opened. The Rector and the Bursar have been on compulsory leave over allegations of mismanagement and corruption. There have also been many allegations against the Council and the entire management over mismanagement and corruption. A Panel of Investigation has been set up by the Federal Government, and a White Paper has allegedly been prepared, but has not been released. Recently, students of the institution have become restive, and on a number of occasions, they have come close to embarking on large scale violent. Activities With every new day this stand-off continues, the resolution of the many problems of this premier institution gets worse. The tense security situation in the State makes it even more vital that the problem is resolved without further delay. The Government of Kaduna State, the Emir of Zazzau and the Governor of Niger State have all attempted to intervene and resolve the problem, without any success. As things stand, the relationship between the Unions on the one hand, and the Council and Management on the other is getting worse by the day. Students who have been at home for the last six months have been caught in a messy crossfire, and their respect for authorities, including that of the Federal Government, is being eroded by the day. Any further delay in resolving the issues which have led to the closure of Kaduna Polytechnic will make the achievement of sustained, long term peace impossible.
In plain terms, there cannot be any acceptable excuse for the length of time it is taking the Federal Government to resolve this issue. The Federal Ministry of Education cannot claim that it does not have the facts around the problem, or the solutions to them. Even making allowances for the fact that much of the period during which this institution was closed was one of active politics and elections, there is no reason why an institution of this importance can remain shut for six months.
It is also inconceivable that the issues which led to the closure of Kaduna Polytechnic can be of such magnitude that it will take all this length of time to resolve. The Rector and the Bursar have been placed on compulsory leave, yet the Unions are demanding that the entire management is corrupt and incompetent too. Council is still in place, yet the Unions are leveling serious allegations against its members, including suspicions that it is responsible for the non-release of the White Paper. The apparent silence of the Federal Ministry of Education and Presidency over the Report of the Panel and the white Paper is fuelling speculation that some powerful interests are in play against a fair resolution of this problem. Even a charitable observer of role of the Federal Government over the Kaduna Polytechnic closure will accuse it of unforgiveable indifference.
The Kaduna Polytechnic should be allowed to resume full and sustained academic activities without further delay. The ball is entirely with the Federal Government. The Polytechnic community and the nation need to know what the thinking and plans of the Federal Government are. If indeed there is a White Paper on the Report of the Investigation Panel somewhere, it should be released immediately or in the alternative, government should make it clear how it wants to resolve this impasse. The failure to communicate the position of government on allegations of corruption, mismanagement and high- handedness, as well as the role of the Unions is singularly responsible for this stand-off.
Once the Federal Government makes its position known on some of the serious problems which caused the closure of this institution, all the parties in this dispute and stakeholders should respect such positions, and allow academic activities to resume. The public will expect that with the length of time it has taken presumably to study the problem, the Federal Government will come up with positions which will not only solve the current problems comprehensively and decisively, but also prevent their recurrence. Too much has been lost by the students, staff and the community in this conflict at Kaduna Polytechnic, and the Federal Government should do the responsible thing and bring the conflict to an end immediately.
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