The Conference of Registrars of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology (COREG) has intensified efforts to establish a professional association for polytechnic and colleges administrative standard and professional development.
The Registrar of the Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, Mr Gabriel Adeyemi, disclosed this at the inauguration of newly appointed COREG excos on Wednesday in Abuja.
Adeyemi, also the former chairman of COREG, said the initiative would serve as a major step toward strengthening the association’s governance across the country.
He said that sustained engagement with the ministry of education, heads of agencies and other stakeholders would help the association address policy issues, enhance professional development and improve the welfare of registrars across federal educational institutions.
Adeyemi said that as the outgoing leader, he was able to built cordial relationships with the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof Idris Bugaje, and senior officials of the Ministry of Education.
This, he said, was to enable the association secure support on issues affecting registrars and member institutions.
According to him, the collaboration resulted in the approval of proposals submitted by the association, including matters relating to registrars’ professional development, office accommodation and the use of conference facilities for executive meetings.
He urged the incoming executives to sustain the relationship by engaging relevant departments of the Federal Ministry of Education whenever policy or administrative issues arose.
He also advised registrars to maintain professionalism in their institutions by working harmoniously with chief executives rather than engaging in unnecessary conflicts.
He said mutual respect, teamwork and adherence to administrative ethics were essential for institutional stability and improved service delivery across federal education agencies.
Adeyemi further encouraged members to continually improve their professional capacity through conferences, peer learning and active participation in the association’s activities.
According to him, the association’s website and communication platforms should be effectively utilised to share ideas, disseminate information and promote best administrative practices among members.
Speaking on the achievements and challenges, he identified members’ welfare, absence of a permanent national secretariat and limited operational resources as key issues requiring attention.
He, however, expressed optimism that the proposed professional association would provide a stronger institutional platform for training, advocacy and professional recognition for administrators in Nigeria’s polytechnic sector.
Reflecting on the association’s growth, Adeyemi said COREG had expanded significantly during the past three years, increasing its visibility and membership while strengthening engagement with key government institutions.
According to him, the Federal Ministry of Education endorsed the initiative, after which the association commenced registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), which has approved a new name for the body while final registration is being awaited.
He said the association would be known as the Organisation of Polytechnic Professional Administrators, adding that it would promote capacity building, knowledge sharing and professional ethics among registrars and other administrators in polytechnics.
He explained that a Board of Trustees had already been constituted, comprising representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, NBTE, COREG and experienced registrars to guide the association.
He said a caretaker committee had also been inaugurated to coordinate the take-off of the association and oversee membership mobilisation across federal, state and private polytechnics nationwide.
Adeyemi encouraged every polytechnic to have a branch of the association, noting that smaller institutions may merge to form branches where necessary.
He expressed confidence that the new executives would build on the achievements of the outgoing leadership by expanding membership, promoting reforms and ensuring that COREG remained an influential voice in the administration of federal educational institutions.
He urged members to support the new leadership wholeheartedly, stressing that collective commitment would enable the association to achieve greater milestones in the years ahead.
Also, the Deputy Director of Federal Polytechnic, Federal Ministry of Education, Isaac Folorunsho, commended the initiative, saying professional associations provided platforms for peer learning, policy guidance and ethical conduct among administrators.
Folorunsho urged the incoming executives to sustain the achievements of their predecessors, maintain integrity and organise regular knowledge-sharing sessions to address emerging challenges facing polytechnic administration.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected COREG Chairman, Dr Obini Onuchukwu, pledged to lead with transparency, accountability and inclusiveness, while also promising to strengthen members’ welfare, promote digital transformation and deepen partnerships with stakeholders.
Onuchukwu also pledged to advocate policies that would advance the interests of registrars and enhance the growth and national relevance of polytechnics and colleges of technology in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other members of COREG are Mrs Herientta Badejo as Vice Chairman; Dr Sakirat Johnson as General Secretary; Dr Nkechi Udalla as Financial Secretary; Malam Muazu Ilyasu as Treasurer; and Mrs Folasade Akintola as the Public Relations Officer. (NAN)
