The Management of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, has dismissed allegations of accreditation fraud levelled against it by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), describing the claims as false, misleading, and malicious.

In a statement issued on Friday by the institution’s spokesman, Iroye Yinka, the management said its attention had been drawn to “another round of false, misleading, and malicious claims” regarding the recently concluded NBTE Accreditation Exercise, alleging equipment outsourcing and fund misappropriation.

“This recycled narrative, previously peddled in an August 11, 2025 publication titled ‘Federal Poly Offa: ASUP decries N500 million accreditation fraud,’ remains false, baseless, mischievous, and deliberately intended to malign the institution and its leadership,” the statement read.

Accreditation Budget Clarified

The management explained that the institution underwent accreditation for 81 academic programmes, not 21 as claimed, and that the N500 million referenced was an approved and transparent budget, duly presented to the Governing Council in line with financial procedures.

Departmental submissions had initially totalled about N900 million, but management streamlined the figure to N500 million without compromising NBTE standards.

“Over N300 million worth of modern equipment and materials were procured and distributed across departments — including laboratory tools, workshop equipment, studio items, and office furniture. Every programme was fully equipped and adequately prepared,” the statement added.

The management dismissed allegations that equipment was borrowed or outsourced, maintaining that all materials were newly acquired and verified by NBTE officials.

Transparency and Financial Oversight

The institution noted that fund disbursement followed strict federal financial regulations, with internal and external audit checks at every stage. The accreditation budget, according to the statement, passed through several oversight layers — including the Departmental, Management, Governing Council, TETFund, and NBTE reviews — leaving no room for misappropriation.

The management also clarified that N30 million covered NBTE statutory fees, while the balance was used for logistics such as accommodation, transportation, feeding, and honoraria for about 100 NBTE resource persons.

“When benchmarked with similar accreditation exercises nationwide, these expenditures are standard, reasonable, and justified,” it said.

The management described allegations that the Rector, Engr. Dr Kamoru Kadiri, or the Director of Academic Planning, Engr. Dr Waheed Balogun, diverted N50 million and N20 million, respectively, as “false, mischievous, and defamatory.”

Commitment to Excellence

The statement further noted that the present administration under Dr Kadiri has delivered unprecedented infrastructural and academic growth, and reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability, and academic excellence.

On union participation, the management clarified that the Polytechnic Accreditation Committee already includes deans, heads of departments, and senior academic staff—many of whom are ASUP members—making the demand for a separate “ASUP slot” unnecessary.

“Management remains open to constructive dialogue with all staff unions but will not condone actions or publications that distort facts or attempt to destabilize the institution,” it concluded.