From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
A total of 6,824 students will be graduating from the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, at both National Diploma and Higher National Diploma levels at its 5th Combined Convocation ceremony coming up on Saturday, 7th of February, 2026
Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, Rector of the Polytechnic disclosed this during the Pre-Convocation Press briefing held at the main campus of the institution on Thursday.
Professor Usman told journalists that of the total number, 51 students will be graduating with Distinction at National Diploma level and 66 to also bag Distinction at Higher National Diploma level from various Schools and Departments for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions.
He also informed newsmen that since assumption of office six years ago as Rector, the Polytechnic’s positive image and success story saw the light of the day through necessary repairs, reforms and restoration of the needed dignity by his administration.
According to Professor Usman “When we assumed office, thirty academic programmes were grappling with serious accreditation challenges, some dating as far back as 2009 and facing possible sanctions from the NBTE. To avert this, we promptly set up committees to address identified gaps. Following the NBTE visitation between 4th and 8th April 2022, all thirty programmes were granted 100% full accreditation.
“Similarly, in 2024, eighteen programmes across various Schools, alongside the institution itself, were due for accreditation. The NBTE visitation conducted between 18th and 20th December 2024 once again resulted in 100% full accreditation for all the programmes of the institution.
“Today, Kogi State Polytechnic has no programme with interim or denied accreditation status.
“We significantly enhanced the learning and research environment by furnishing and equipping the Polytechnic Library with current textbooks, academic journals, and robust e-library components. This investment has provided students and staff with access to up-to-date, relevant, and authoritative academic resources within a modern, technology-driven, and conducive learning space
“Upon assumption of office, we identified the urgent need to strengthen the Polytechnic’s administrative architecture in order to enhance efficiency, accountability, and service delivery in line with best practices in tertiary education management. Consequently, we introduced far-reaching administrative reforms through the establishment of new Directorates and the upgrading of key units to Directorate status.
These reforms were designed to improve coordination, promote professionalism, strengthen institutional governance, and support academic effectiveness across all levels of the Polytechnic. The major highlights include the establishment of
Directorate of Information Technology Resources Centre (ITRC) to drive digital transformation and ICT governance, Directorate of Sports, Directorate of Advancement, Support and Linkages to strengthen institutional partnerships, resource mobilisation, and external collaborations, Directorate of Physical Planning and Development to enhance infrastructure planning, development, and project monitoring, Directorate of Entrepreneurship and Skills Development to deepen skills acquisition, innovation, and graduate employability, Directorate of Public Relations and Protocol – upgraded to improve institutional visibility, media relations, and stakeholder engagement
“Other Directorates include that of Internal Audit – upgraded to reinforce financial accountability, transparency, and internal control mechanisms, Legal Services – upgraded to provide structured legal advisory support and ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, Research and Innovation – newly established to promote research culture
“Welfare, motivation, and professional development of staff remain a cornerstone of our administration, recognising that no institution can rise above the quality and commitment of its workforce. Within the period under review, deliberate and people-centred interventions were implemented to restore confidence, enhance productivity, and improve staff morale across all cadres.
“Implementation and Cash-Backing of Promotions (2014 – 2022)
A major challenge we inherited was the backlog of promotions granted between 2014 and 2020 without the required financial backing. Upon assumption of office, we promptly tabled this matter before the immediate past Governor of Kogi State. He graciously approved the full implementation and cash-backing of all outstanding promotions up to the year 2020, bringing long-awaited relief and restoring trust in the system. Again, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has graciously approved the cash backing of staff promotion up to 2022. We appreciate His Excellency’s huge gesture.
“On assumption of duty, we discovered severe manpower deficits occasioned by retirements, resignations, and disciplinary disengagements, which negatively affected service delivery and efficiency. With the approval of the State Government, we embarked on strategic recruitment into academic, administrative, and technical positions.
“As at January 2026, the Polytechnic had a total staff strength of 1,911, comprising 748 academic staff and 1,163 non-teaching staff, with 998 staff recruited from 2020 to date. Beyond strengthening institutional capacity, this exercise also provided employment opportunities for hundreds of qualified young Nigerians who had remained unemployed for years after graduation.
“Study Leave With Pay (SLWP) and Additional PhD Qualifications
Staff capacity building through education remains a major priority. Currently, 252 staff members are on approved Study Leave With Pay, with approvals granted between 2020 and 2026. I am proud to announce that over thirty-nine (9) members of the academic staff of the Polytechnic have obtained their PhD between the April 2020 and this moment. We give God the glory.
“TETFund Intervention for Staff Development
Between 2020 and 2024, the Polytechnic effectively accessed and utilised TETFund interventions for staff training, research, and development. Beneficiaries included those under Institution-Based Research (IBR), Academic Staff Training and Development (foreign and local), conference sponsorships, academic manuscripts converted to books, and journal publications.
“In total, ₦816,818,939.18 was accessed and disbursed transparently to staff under these intervention windows, significantly enhancing research output, academic visibility, and global competitiveness.
Payment of Earned Academic Allowance
“There were backlogs of Earned Academic Allowances for deserving members of staff in the Schools of Applied Science and School of Management Studies before we came on board. I am happy to inform you that we have cleared the allowances up till 2024/2025 academic sessions for the School of Applied Sciences and 2023/2024 session for the School of Management Studies. This was paid from the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), further demonstrating our resolve to reward effort and productivity.
“Prompt Payment of Salaries
Staff of the Polytechnic enjoy prompt and regular payment of salaries, in line with the policy applicable to Kogi State Government employees. We remain profoundly grateful to His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for sustaining this commitment to workers’ welfare despite prevailing economic challenges.
