There is growing concern among parents and the general public over the inability of some graduates of Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori (Ken-Poly), to participate in the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
Kristina Reports reliably learnt that this is due to lack of full accreditation of certain programmes in the institution by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
Kristina Reports findings reveal that graduates from affected departments such as Environmental Biology and Public Administration are unable to proceed with the one-year national service because the affected programmes are yet to receive the necessary recognition.
This, according to knowledgeable sources, is a requirement for employment in many public and private sector organisations in Nigeria.
Reacting to the development, the Executive Director of the Indigenous Language and Cultural Empowerment Foundation (ILACEF), Magnus Edooh, described the situation as “deeply troubling and unacceptable”.
Edooh noted that graduates from unaccredited programmes face significant setbacks, as their qualifications are not recognised for NYSC mobilisation or public sector employment, thereby limiting their career prospects.
According to him, the development goes beyond an institutional lapse, stressing that it has far-reaching consequences on the future of young people while also placing emotional and financial strain on their families.
“The backwardness in education affects the future of our children, not only our children but our nation building. We are talking about the growth of youths and the youths are being stranded and restrained from pursuing their careers.
They cannot use what they have to continue their education or to be gainfully employed because according to the Nigerian setting, you must present papers, and these papers are not forthcoming” he said.
Edooh further expressed concern over the institution’s inability to hold convocation ceremonies in recent years, describing it as another indication of systemic challenges within the polytechnic.
He emphasised that students and graduates deserve clarity, justice, and a clear pathway forward, urging the management of Ken-Poly to address the issue with urgency.
The civil society advocate also called on relevant stakeholders, including the Rivers State Government and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, to intervene and ensure that the concerns of affected students are promptly addressed.
“The management of Ken-Poly to act now and ensure that they do all they can to ensure that these courses are accredited.
It does not affect just the school, but it traumatises the children. As parents, it is painful having paid school fees all these years with nothing to show for it.
We are calling on all stakeholders, the Governor of Rivers State, especially the recently appointed Rector and chairman of the governing council to act now, we need results” he added.
Efforts to reach the management of Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.