The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has demanded an immediate independent investigation into the alleged administrative and academic crisis at Osun State Polytechnic (OSPOLY), Iree, issuing a seven-day ultimatum to relevant authorities to intervene or risk student action.
NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, said the intervention by the student body was not aimed at targeting any individual but at safeguarding the quality of tertiary education and protecting students’ welfare.
NANS alleged that the institution had suffered years of systemic decay, claiming that students had been subjected to poor teaching, persistent demands for payments for handouts and administrative receipts, as well as inadequate academic supervision.
‘Let it be known to the public and the authorities concerned that NANS is not here to witch-hunt any individual, nor are we driven by personal vendetta against anyone.
‘We are driven strictly by a profound commitment to a sound pedagogical system, the uncompromised welfare of our students, and the preservation of a healthy academic environment.
‘When an administration reduces an institution to a mere revenue-collection centre while starving students of knowledge and staff of motivation, it triggers an unimaginable crisis with a multiplier effect that devalues the overall quality of tertiary education across the nation,’ NANS stated.
The association also raised concerns over the conduct of the institution’s recent Computer-Based Test (CBT) examinations, alleging that students were compelled to use their personal mobile phones due to inadequate ICT facilities.
According to Afeez, the situation reportedly resulted in widespread technical glitches and overcrowding during the examinations, with some students allegedly collapsing from exhaustion.
The student body further called on TETFund to carry out an audit of intervention funds allocated to the institution, particularly those meant for ICT infrastructure, questioning the absence of adequate digital facilities despite federal interventions.
The NANS President also expressed concern over the reported failure of the institution to mobilise some of its graduates for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) since 2024.
He noted that the development had left affected graduates stranded, alleging that unresolved administrative issues and delays in uploading students’ records had hindered their mobilisation.
He urged the relevant authorities to urgently resolve the matter to prevent further hardship for the affected graduates.
As part of its demands, NANS called on the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), TETFund, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) to commence an independent investigation into the allegations.
The association warned that if no concrete action was taken within seven days, it would relocate its national leadership to the institution to stage sustained peaceful protests and shut down administrative activities until the issues were addressed.
‘Consequently, the national leadership of NANS hereby issues a strict seven-day ultimatum for independent bodies to move into the campus and commence a thorough investigation.
‘Our call is strictly for the purpose of saving the school, restoring its lost glory, and correcting what urgently needs to be corrected,’ Afeez stated.
NANS also cautioned the institution’s management against victimising students or whistleblowers over the allegations, warning that any form of intimidation or disciplinary action against students would trigger a nationwide mobilisation by the association.
It maintained that its objective was to restore confidence in the institution, improve learning conditions, ensure accountability, and preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.