KADUNA—LECTURERS of Kaduna Polytechnic, Tuesday, called on the Federal Government to hasten the process of converting the institution into a university.

The lecturers said they disagreed with the recent opposition to the idea by the President of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP.

The institution’s ASUP Chairman, Malam Mustapha Bida, told journalists in Kaduna, that the national body of the union was not representing the interest of the academic staff of the polytechnic, stressing: “His stand is completely at variance with national interest and the desire of Kaduna Polytechnic community and indeed any academic common sense.”

He said the views were “unreasonable, personal and has no bearing with the position of Kaduna Polytechnic, ASUP Kaduna Polytechnic chapter.”

Bida who said the conversion of the institution into a university would promote skills development and reduce discrimination against HND holders, noted: “ Kaduna Polytechnic has resources, both human and infrastructural to actualize these, all that is required is the political will.”

According to him, the institute currently offers more than 60 programmes, has over 25,000 students with staff strength of 3,000 professionals.

He lamented the delay in actualising the conversion, which he explained had passed through several committees and second reading during the sixth National Assembly.

Bida denied having any problem between the national body of the union and the polytechnic’s leadership.