The National President of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) Alumni Association, Alhaji Ayinde Soaga, has called on the Ogun State Government to increase funding for polytechnic education, describing current allocations as “grossly inadequate.”
Soaga made the appeal on Tuesday during a briefing at MAPOLY, stressing that polytechnic education demands more than theoretical instruction.
“I believe the government should increase its allocation to education, particularly polytechnic education. For institutions like MAPOLY, much more funding is required. The current funding is inadequate for the kind of teaching and hands-on training that polytechnics demand,” he said.
The former General Manager of Ogun State Television highlighted that polytechnic training focuses on practical competence and real-world demonstration. He commended MAPOLY for producing graduates who excel nationwide in fields such as accounting, mass communication, architecture, and engineering.
“Polytechnic education is not just about reading and theory; it is about demonstration and competence. These institutions need more resources to provide the level of practical training required. What is currently provided is simply not enough,” Soaga added.
He also encouraged graduates to prioritise entrepreneurship over salaried jobs, citing his own career path after graduating in 1985. Initially declining government employment due to low wages, he pursued independent media work before joining the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Abeokuta.
“My message to graduates today is: be self-reliant. Do not depend solely on government jobs. Use the skills you have acquired here—polytechnic training equips you with practical abilities you can leverage to create opportunities,” he advised.
Soaga expressed concern over the poor state of campus roads and pledged that the alumni association would work with stakeholders to improve facilities. He described MAPOLY as “a beacon of technical, vocational, and professional excellence,” urging alumni, stakeholders, and partners to support the institution through mentorship, infrastructure development, scholarships, and strategic initiatives.
He also congratulated newly admitted students for the 2025/2026 academic session, urging them to uphold the institution’s tradition of excellence.
The call for increased funding reflects concerns raised by the Senior Staff
Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), which noted that while MAPOLY pays ₦210 million monthly in salaries, it receives only ₦20.75 million from the state government—a figure unchanged for over a decade.
Management has relied heavily on internally generated revenue to meet salaries and maintain basic infrastructure.
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