Kaduna Polytechnic given 72 hours to explain revenue and pension issues

The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education has told Kaduna Polytechnic to submit records of its internally generated revenue, pension deductions, National Housing Fund contributions, and other financial transactions within 72 hours.

This order came after the committee expressed worries about the school’s falling revenue despite more students enrolling. They also want to check if the school is paying the right pension and death benefits to families of staff who have died.

Fuad Laguda, the committee’s Chairman from APC, Lagos, gave this directive on Tuesday during a visit to the school. He asked the management to send the needed documents to the National Assembly in three working days.

The documents requested include the staff list, the number of full-time and part-time students, proof of pension deductions, NHF contributions, and details of death benefits paid to families of staff who died between 2023 and 2025.

The lawmakers also asked for information on the school’s investments, procurement activities, maintenance work, renovations in the security division, and the School of Health Technology. They also want a list of external solicitors the school uses.

Figures given by the school show that its internally generated revenue dropped from N1.478 billion in 2023 to N1.398 billion in 2024 and further down to N1.332 billion in 2025.

These numbers made the committee question how accurate the revenue records are, especially since student enrollment has grown.

Mr Laguda said the figures seem lower than expected. He asked the management to give a detailed account of the school’s revenue and spending.

"Taking a rough calculation of what we are doing here, it looks as if what you have given us is under-declared. The figure is too low. In other words, it seems what you are giving us here is not accurate," he said.

The committee also asked for clarification on about N1.3 billion in pension deductions. They want proof that this money has been sent to the right authorities.

Mr Laguda said the committee needs these records to see if the school has met its legal obligations.

The lawmakers also raised concerns about the handling of death benefits for former staff. They noted that over 30 staff members died between 2023 and 2025.

Mr Laguda said they have not seen any proof that the benefits reached the next of kin of the deceased staff.

"In terms of death benefits, over 30 staff died during these years (2023-2025), yet there is no evidence of the payments of the benefits to their next of kin. We would like to have a comprehensive breakdown of this," he said.

The committee then asked for a detailed account of how the benefits were paid. During their visit, the lawmakers also looked at some of the school’s facilities, including an upgraded studio for the Departments of Media and Mass Communication.

Mr Laguda said the committee was not fully satisfied with the state of some facilities. He added that they need more documents before they can conclude on the issues raised.

He said the school must improve its buildings and ensure it uses its resources properly.

"We’ve asked them to make further submissions to us at the National Assembly within 72 hours. That is three working days," he said.

In reply to the lawmakers’ concerns, the Rector of Kaduna Polytechnic, Suleiman Umar, said the school has sent all pension deductions and is up to date with its payments.

Mr Umar, who was represented by the Deputy Rector (Academic), Aliyu Usman, said there are no outstanding issues regarding pension payments.

"As for pension, we do not have any issues at all. All our pension deductions are promptly remitted. In fact, even though the October salary has not been paid, the pension has been raised," he said.

He also explained that the school does not directly pay death benefits to the families of deceased staff, saying that the payments are handled by insurance companies.

On security costs, he said the school hires private security firms for protection.

Mr Umar added that the school has no outstanding issues with NHF deductions and that they have the necessary records ready for the committee.

He assured the lawmakers that the management will provide all requested documents within the 72-hour deadline.

The committee will review the submissions to see if the school has met its financial and legal responsibilities.