Federal Polytechnic Orogun, Delta State, has received the approval of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to commence nine additional National Diploma (ND) programmes, bringing its total academic offerings to 12. This approval was conveyed in a letter dated October 4, 2024, signed by Dr. Fatima Kabir Umar, Director of Polytechnic Programmes, on behalf of NBTE’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje.
The newly approved programmes are; Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Marketing, Mass Communication, Library and Information Science, Hospitality Management and Tourism, Computer Science, and Science Laboratory Technology. This development followed a resource re-inspection visit by a team of NBTE inspectors between September 12 and 14, 2024, which assessed the institution’s readiness to offer the additional courses, ensuring the Polytechnic met the required standards.
Reacting, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Duke Okoro, expressed his delight at the approval, stating that the Polytechnic’s mission aligns with the expansion of these programmes. “This is a major milestone for us at FEPO. We are driven by a clear vision: to be an institution grounded in cutting-edge digital literacy for vocational skills acquisition and character development,” said Okoro, who is fondly referred to as the “Digital Rector” by students and staff. He added, ” Our goal is to equip students with the knowledge and hands-on experience they need to thrive in today’s fast-changing world.”
The Polytechnic, established in 2022, followed the relentless efforts of former Deputy Senate President, Chief Ovie Omo-Agege and was approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022. The institution began academic operations in January 2024 with three initial NBTE-approved courses: Statistics, Accounting, and Business Administration and Management. The 138 pioneer students for these courses were matriculated on May 11, 2024.
With this latest NBTE approval, Federal Polytechnic Orogun is set to offer students a broader range of courses designed to meet the demands of Nigeria’s growing industries. “Our academic programmes are aligned with the needs of the job market, ensuring that our students graduate with the practical skills required to excel in their careers,” Dr. Okoro added.
Dr. Okoro highlighted the core values guiding the institution, including academic excellence, creativity, innovation, integrity, discipline, equity, and social justice. “We are dedicated to providing quality education that prepares students for successful careers and fulfilling lives,” he noted, emphasizing that the Polytechnic’s programmes are designed to meet the demands of a rapidly changing job market.
Also reacting, the visibly elated Registrar of the Polytechnic, Mrs. Christine Aluyi, stated that “the expansion of academic programmes is expected to attract a larger student body for the 2024/2025 academic session. The Registrar announced that admissions for these new courses would begin immediately. “The newly approved programmes will provide students with practical skills, equipping them for the workforce upon graduation,” she said. “We are committed to offering a dynamic and supportive learning environment that fosters passion, hones skills, and empowers students to achieve their goals.” She further stated.
“We are excited to welcome new students and offer them the tools and knowledge to succeed in their chosen fields. With the addition of these nine programmes, we continue our mission to develop self-reliant, skilled graduates ready to contribute to societal development,” the Rector concluded.
With the addition of these nine programmes, Federal Polytechnic Orogun continues to build its reputation as an institution dedicated to academic and ethical excellence, preparing its students for success in various industries, while shaping the future of Nigerian technical and vocational education.
