TVET probe: Reps issue education minister final summon

The House of Representatives Committee on Polytechnic and Higher Technical Education has issued a final ultimatum to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, demanding all documentation concerning the implementation of the Federal Government's Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program. The committee has set a deadline of August 18, 2026, for the submission of these documents and a mandatory appearance by the minister on September 17, 2026.

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We have written several correspondences starting from January 30, 2025, seeking information on the activities of the Technical Vocational Education Training being implemented by the government. The last invitation was on July 30, but the minister is not here, and no representative was sent to the committee.

This decisive action follows the minister's persistent failure to attend investigative hearings or send a representative, despite multiple official invitations. Lawmakers on the committee expressed significant dissatisfaction, viewing the minister's absence as a profound disrespect to the legislative body and a hindrance to their oversight responsibilities. The committee's Chairman, Kayode Laguda, noted that official correspondence seeking information on the TVET program began as early as January 30, 2025.

During the investigative hearing, committee members voiced strong criticism of the ministry's lack of cooperation. Member Rabiu Yusuf moved a motion for a vote of no confidence in the minister, accusing him of showing "a high level of disrespect" to the National Assembly. Another lawmaker, Bayo Adepoju, echoed these sentiments, describing the repeated absences as "a direct affront to parliament."

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This communication was neither acknowledged nor responded to. Information requested by the committee was not provided. We can rightly assume that there is a high level of disrespect to the institution of the legislative body by the executive, particularly the Minister of Education. I think it is high time for us to pass a vote of no confidence on the minister.

The committee reminded the ministry that the Nigerian Constitution, specifically Sections 88 and 89, empowers the National Assembly to investigate the activities of government agencies. The current situation marks a tense escalation in the relationship between the committee and the Ministry of Education, with the committee warning that continued non-compliance could lead to further legislative action.

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a direct affront to parliament.