The management of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, in Kwara State, has strongly denied claims of accreditation fraud by the institution's academic union, describing the allegations as "false, misleading, and malicious."

A statement released on Friday by the institution's spokesman, Iroye Yinka, addressed the controversy: "The attention of the Management of The Federal Polytechnic, Offa, has been drawn to another round of false, misleading, and malicious claims regarding the recently concluded NBTE Accreditation Exercise, alleging that equipment were outsourced and that funds were misappropriated."

The statement labeled the recent query by the union regarding the N300 million accreditation expenditure as a "recycled narrative."

"This recycled narrative, previously peddled in a Daily Post publication of August 11, 2025, under the headline 'Federal Poly Offa: ASUP decries N500 million accreditation fraud,' remains false, baseless, mischievous, and deliberately intended to malign the institution and its leadership," the statement read in part.

"For the benefit of the Polytechnic community and the general public, the Management wishes to clarify the following facts once again:

"On the Accreditation Budget. The Polytechnic was scheduled for accreditation of 81 academic programmes, not 21 as falsely reported.

"The sum of N500 million mentioned in various reports was only a proposed and duly approved budget, collated by the Directorate of Academic Planning at the instance of Management and presented to the Governing Council in line with due process and public service financial procedures."

The statement explained that "Departmental submissions initially totalled about N900 million, but management, through prudent financial oversight, streamlined the figure to approximately N500 million without compromising the quality and standards required by the National Board for Technical Education NBTE.

"On Procurement and Expenditure: Out of the approved amount, over N300 million worth of modern equipment and materials were procured and distributed to departments and units across the institution.

"These include: Laboratory and workshop equipment: Modern office furniture, air conditioners, fridges, and televisions, studio and training tools, among many others

"Every department and programme scheduled for accreditation was fully equipped and adequately prepared in compliance with NBTE requirements.

"Therefore, the claim that equipment were outsourced or borrowed is false, malicious, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public," the statement added.

The management said no equipment was borrowed, sourced externally, or improvised during the accreditation exercise, as every departmental need was fully provided for and verified by NBTE officials.

On financial transparency, the management disclosed that disbursement of funds followed strict federal financial regulations, with internal and external audit checks at every stage.

According to the statement, the accreditation budget passed through several layers of scrutiny, Departmental, Management, Governing Council, TETFund, and NBTE, making any alleged mismanagement or diversion of funds impossible.

"In addition, N30 million represented statutory fees payable directly to NBTE, while the balance covered logistics such as transportation, accommodation, feeding, and honoraria for nearly 100 NBTE appointed resource persons who participated in the accreditation exercise.

"When benchmarked with similar accreditation exercises across the country, these expenditures are standard, reasonable, and justified," the management stated.

The management dismissed the insinuation that the Rector, Engr. Dr. Kamoru Kadiri, and the Director of Academic Planning, Engr. Dr. Waheed Balogun, requested N50 million and N20 million respectively for themselves or the Governing Council, describing it as "false, mischievous, and defamatory."

It added that "The Polytechnic's financial system is guided by transparency and accountability, with all transactions documented, audited, and reportable to relevant government oversight agencies.

"Management therefore categorically denies any act of financial impropriety or corruption as alleged."

The management defended the present Federal Polytechnic Offa administration under Engr. Dr. Kamoru Kadiri, arguing that it has brought about unprecedented infrastructural and academic transformation within a short period.

On union engagement, the management said the Polytechnic Accreditation Committee already comprises Deans, Heads of Departments, and senior academic staff, most of whom are members of ASUP by designation.

"Hence, the demand for a separate 'ASUP slot' is unnecessary and inconsistent with NBTE accreditation procedure.

"The Management remains open to constructive dialogue with all staff unions but will not condone actions or publications that distort facts or attempt to destabilize the institution."

The management reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and academic excellence and advised the public "to disregard these recycled falsehoods aimed at causing unnecessary tension."