A Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo lecturer, Audu Igbabee Gabriel, is unable to obtain his Doctor of Philosophy certificate from Kampala International University in Uganda, with the Benue State House of Assembly now involved in the matter.

The Assembly's Standing Committee on Public Petitions, Bills Review and Appraisal, chaired by Engineer Ezra Nyiyongo, found that the Polytechnic still owes Audu N2.854 million from his Tertiary Education Trust Fund scholarship intervention, an outstanding balance the House held responsible for preventing him from settling his tuition and securing his certificate. The Assembly debated the committee's report on July 21.

Audu also faces possible sanctions from TETFund, which is demanding proof that he completed his programme in compliance with sponsorship guidelines requiring beneficiaries to finish within an approved period and return with prescribed academic documents. Management at the Polytechnic has already begun deducting from Audu's salary in line with those guidelines.

Investigations traced the origin of the dispute to prolonged studies, unresolved tuition payments, and a failure to present required academic documents to TETFund, with the matter dating back to before the current Polytechnic administration took office. Findings further indicated that Audu exceeded the approved duration for his PhD programme, noting that deferments are typically permitted only for one or two semesters rather than indefinitely.

Funds already disbursed to Audu under the sponsorship reportedly covered tuition, accommodation, upkeep, and other allowances, expenses the House suggested should have been prioritised. Assembly members questioned why TETFund did not pay Audu's tuition directly if that was the expectation, while still demanding a completed certificate from him.

TETFund's guidelines for its Academic Staff Training and Development programme state that the intervention "is designed to sponsor academic staff of beneficiary institutions for Master's and PhD studies in Nigeria and abroad to strengthen teaching, research and institutional capacity."

Rector of Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, Dr Henry Ojobo, declined to comment when contacted, stating that the matter was already before the State House of Assembly.