Tension has escalated at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, as the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) raised concerns over the alleged mismanagement of about N300 million earmarked for the institution’s accreditation.

Dr. Idowu Atilola, Chairman of the Offa Polytechnic chapter of ASUP, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the union is questioning the management over the huge expenditure on equipment, even before accreditation exercises were conducted.

“Despite the claimed spending, many departments still had to outsource equipment. Who is deceiving who?” Dr. Atilola asked.

The union also flagged an alleged disparity in financial requests by the management. According to their memo, Engr. Dr. Waheed Balogun, Director of Academic Planning, and the Rector, Engr. Dr. Kamoru Kadiri, reportedly requested N50 million for management and N20 million for the Governing Council, while deserving Heads of Departments and Deans were slated for paltry payments of N75,000 and N50,000 respectively.

“This display of corruption is unacceptable. We demand clear explanations on how institutional resources are being depleted without corresponding physical development,” Dr. Atilola added, stressing that all actions must align with existing laws.

Attempts to reach the Polytechnic’s spokesman, Iroye Yinka, for comments were unsuccessful as of Thursday evening.

The union has written to the Governing Council, urging intervention to address the alleged financial irregularities.