Polytechnics that run unaccredited courses, engage in illegal affiliation or admit students beyond their carrying capacities now risk serious sanctions, so says the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

This is as efforts are in top gear to, before the end of this year, overhaul polytechnic education and give more emphasis on engineering and technological studies. By this development, preference would now be given to candidates seeking admission into engineering-related courses.

Executive Secretary of NBTE, Dr Masa'ud Kazaure, who spoke in Kwara State during a send forth ceremony for the immediate past rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Dr. Mufutau Olatinwo, stressed the need for polytechnics to make robust contributions to the nation's economic growth, adding that any institution of learning offering "irrelevant courses" may no longer be a delight of the Federal Government.

He impressed on the leadership of the nation's polytechnics to ensure a proper symbiotic relationship between the town and gown, just as he said the body would not hesitate to effect the closure of any polytechnic that was devoid of a master plan.

The NBTE scribe said, "Polytechnics should no longer start programmes or affiliation without our approval. There is a new government in place and we can no longer afford to do things the way we like. We want to advise the polytechnic to please stick to their carrying capacity. It is very crucial and important. We want to urge you all to update your master plan and submit your data at the due date. The change mantra must affect our mode of operations at all times."

Describing the resuscitation of the nation's railway system by some Chinese firms as laudable, he said the nation's polytechnic should re-design its curriculum to enable it churn out in future, technicians and engineers that could develop indigenous technologies that would replace the Chinese.

Kazaure praised Olatinwo for restoring and upholding peace in the 10 years he spent at the helm of affairs in the institution even though he inherited a turbulent institution. He urged the acting Rector, Dr Ayodele Olaosebikan to follow suit.

In his remarks, Olatinwo said, "I have been very lucky to work with a crop of very dedicated and loyal principal officers, staff and students' leadership. I have enjoyed uncommon support from my subordinates and want to passionately plead with the generality of staff to extend the same support to the next leadership of the polytechnic. We have never had to argue at meetings and discussion fora based on our religious, ethnic and other primordial affiliation."