Federal Polytechnic Bali in Taraba State has recorded a series of academic, infrastructural and institutional milestones under its outgoing rector, Dr Mohammed Usman, who used his final congregation meeting to present a comprehensive scorecard of his administration's five year tenure.

At the heart of the achievements is a significant investment in human capital. A total of 105 academic staff benefited from Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) sponsorship for postgraduate studies, while 219 academic and non teaching staff attended TETFund Sponsored conferences and workshops at both local and international levels. More than 120 staff members also accessed Institutional Based Research grants during the same period.

Dr Usman noted that the investments were targeted at improving teaching quality, research output and service delivery across the institution.

On the academic front, the polytechnic is currently pursuing accreditation and resource inspection for 28 additional programmes across its National Diploma and Higher National Diploma offerings. Three new schools were also established during the period, namely the School of Agricultural Technology, the School of General Studies, and the School of Information Science and Environmental Sciences, alongside new departments covering Mechanical Engineering, Banking and Finance, Library and Information Science, Food Science and Technology, Marketing, Architectural Technology, and Urban and Regional Planning. The institution also introduced Long Vacation and Part Time programmes in Bali and Jalingo.

Infrastructural development featured prominently in the scorecard. Completed projects include a 500 seat examination and lecture hall, student hostels, laboratories, classrooms, office buildings, water treatment facilities and a mini earth dam. Work is ongoing on a Mechanical Engineering Complex and a 1.5 kilometre internal road network. More than 20 procurements involving laboratory equipment, workshop tools, office furniture and renewable energy infrastructure were concluded between 2021 and 2025.

The polytechnic also registered its Consultancy Services Unit with the Corporate Affairs Commission, revived its Staff Club as a commercial venture, commenced NAFDAC approved water production and expanded commercial farming to strengthen internally generated revenue.

Dr Usman acknowledged persistent challenges, including the absence of a national electricity grid connection, incomplete perimeter fencing, bushfires, unresolved land compensation disputes and declining student enrolment, expressing confidence these would be addressed through continued government and stakeholder engagement.