AUCHI POLYTECHNIC SEEKS EXPANSION OF AFFILIATION PROGRAMMES WITH UNIZIK

AFFILIATION FOR EXPANSION/ PROGRESS

AUCHI POLYTECHNIC SEEKS EXPANSION OF AFFILIATION PROGRAMMES WITH UNIZIK

A delegation from the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, has paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, to seek the expansion of their existing affiliation programmes.

The visit, which took place on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the Vice-Chancellor’s office, was aimed at strengthening the longstanding relationship between the two institutions and exploring opportunities for additional degree programmes.

Speaking on behalf of the Rector, Mr. Okwilague Abdulai, a member of the Governing Council and the Rector’s representative, described both institutions as partners in progress, noting that their relationship had been mutually beneficial.

Mr Abdulai said the delegation was encouraged by the Vice-Chancellor’s vision for expanding academic programmes at UNIZIK and appealed for Auchi Polytechnic to be included in the university’s expansion plans.

According to him, additional programmes would provide more students of the polytechnic with opportunities to pursue university degrees.

Also speaking, the Director of Academic Planning at Auchi Polytechnic, Dr. Barr. Augustine E. Ainabor, congratulated Prof. Anyaehie on his appointment and recalled that the affiliation arrangement between the two institutions began in 2013.

Dr. Ainabor explained that the partnership initially covered four programmes but was later reduced to three: Accounting, Business Administration and Estate Management appealing for the introduction of additional programmes, particularly in Engineering, Public Administration and Local Government Administration among others to broaden academic opportunities for students of the polytechnic.

Responding, Prof. Anyaehie welcomed the delegation and expressed the university’s willingness to consider proposals that would expand access to knowledge and contribute to national development.

Prof. Anyaehie directed the Director of Academic Planning and the Registrar to guide the delegation on the necessary procedures, explaining that any proposal would be submitted to the Senate for consideration and, if approved, forwarded to the National Universities Commission (NUC) for the requisite accreditation.

In her clarification, UNIZIK’s Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Angela  Ufele-Obiesie  , outlined the requirements for expanding the affiliation arrangement which include assessment of facilities at the polytechnic, approval by the university Senate and the NUC, and payment of applicable fees associated with the assessment visits.

A resource person in the affiliation programme, Prof. Austin Odum of UNIZIK’s Department of Accounting, reaffirmed his commitment and that of other university resource persons to maintaining academic standards saying that his involvement with Auchi Polytechnic dated back to 2014 and expressed confidence in the institution’s commitment to quality education.

In his vote of thanks, Mr. Abdulai, on behalf of the Governing Council and management of Auchi Polytechnic, expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor for receiving the delegation and considering its request.

 Highlights of the visit included the presentation of a congratulatory plaque to Prof. Anyaehie and an appreciation plaque to the Registrar, Dr. Chinenye Okeke, whom the delegation recognised for her outstanding service to the Polytechnic, particularly her previous role as an admissions officer. Other members of the delegation and participants included Dr. Aweh David Suru, Director of Degree Programmes, Auchi Polytechnic; Dr. Odia Robert I., Staff Adviser, Degree Programmes, Auchi Polytechnic; Prof. Chinedu Onyeizugbe, Director of the UNIZIK Centre for Capital Market Studies; and Dr. Joseph Ejikeme of the Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics, UNIZIK.

Public Relations Unit, UNIZIK