•team assesses four proposed HND programmes, urges stronger staff development
By Salam Saheed
The Michael Adeniyi Koleosho (MAK) Polytechnic, Saki, Oyo State, has recorded a 100 per cent success rate in the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) accreditation exercise for four proposed Higher National Diploma programmes.
The three-day exercise, which commenced on Wednesday, September 17, and ended on Friday, September 19, 2026, covered HND Journalism and Media Studies, HND Strategic Communication and Media Studies, HND Electronics and Telecommunication Science, and HND Power and Machine.
The accreditation exercise involved the assessment of the Polytechnic’s academic manpower, physical infrastructure, teaching and learning facilities, laboratories, workshops, curriculum resources and other requirements for effective delivery of the programmes.
The accreditation team also inspected the relevant departments and interacted with members of the academic and administrative staff as part of the resource verification process.
At the end of the exercise, the team declared a 100 per cent success rate and assessed the four proposed HND programmes.
Speaking during the exercise, the Rector, Surv. Sikiru Adetona Ajibola, said the management was committed to strengthening the institution’s academic standards and expanding its programme offerings.
“We are committed to strengthening the academic standards of the Polytechnic and expanding our programme offerings to provide students with quality and relevant education,” Ajibola said.
He said the Polytechnic had moved beyond its formative stage and would continue to consolidate its achievements through sustained institutional development and pursuit of additional programme accreditations.
“The Polytechnic has moved beyond its formative stage, and our priority now is to consolidate our achievements through sustained institutional development and the accreditation of more programmes,” he said.
Ajibola stressed the importance of increasing the number of accredited programmes offered by the institution, noting that the development would strengthen its academic profile and expand opportunities available to students.
“The number of accredited programmes is important to the growth and academic profile of an institution. We will continue to pursue programmes that meet the required standards,” he said.
A member of the accreditation team, Dr John Onyebuchi, urged the management to prioritise continuous staff development and professional capacity building.
He encouraged members of staff to participate in relevant workshops, conferences, seminars and other professional development programmes to improve their expertise and remain abreast of emerging trends in their respective disciplines.
Onyebuchi also called for greater emphasis on entrepreneurship, practical training and skills acquisition, saying students should be equipped with competencies capable of making them self-reliant and productive members of society.
“The Polytechnic should place greater emphasis on continuous staff development. Academic and non-academic personnel should regularly participate in professional workshops and capacity-building programmes,” he said.
He added, “Students should not be trained solely to obtain certificates. They should also acquire practical and entrepreneurial skills that will enable them to become self-reliant.”
According to him, “The emphasis should be on competency, practical knowledge and skills that students can apply beyond the classroom.”
The accreditation team comprised academics and professionals drawn from relevant institutions and organisations.
Members of the team included Dr Kazeem; Dr Olufunmilayo Adebolu Ojo of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Ibadan; Dr Olutunji Olusoji; Dr Terjuoso Wasiu; Dr Monsur Adekande of Egbajo Polytechnic; Dr Abdullah Oladupupo; Engr Suleiman Mohammad of Dynamic Tripod; and Engr Oyinkola Latif Adewale of The Polytechnic, Ibadan.
Others were Isah Abubakar; Engr Nuhu, General Manager, Dynamic Tripod; Professor Saidu, the team leader; Dr-Engr Babangida Ibrahim, Managing Director; and Dr John Onyebuchi.
As part of activities marking the accreditation exercise, the accreditation team, accompanied by the management of MAK Polytechnic, paid a courtesy visit to the Paramount Ruler of Saki, the Okere of Sakiland, Oba (Dr.) Surv. Khalid Oyeniyi Olabisi Oyedepo III.
The monarch appreciated the accreditation team for its assessment and commended the management of the Polytechnic for its efforts towards developing the institution and positioning it to meet global educational standards.
He also expressed appreciation to the team for its contribution to the development of technical and tertiary education in Saki, while encouraging the institution’s management to sustain its commitment to academic excellence and institutional growth.