The Federal Polytechnic Oko has announced plans to unbundle its Department of Public Administration as part of a strategic move to expand academic offerings and align with global best practices.
Rector of the institution, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, made the disclosure on Thursday, August 7, 2025, during the Second National Hybrid Conference organised by the Department of Public Administration. The event, held at the Polytechnic Auditorium, had the theme “Politics, Governance and Contending Issues in Nigeria.”
Dr. Awuzie explained that the restructuring would decentralise the department and introduce interdisciplinary programmes to integrate government innovations, political communication, and digital service delivery.
She revealed that management had concluded arrangements for resource inspection and the introduction of new programmes, including:
National Diploma in Local Government and Administrative Studies
National Diploma in Crime Management
National Diploma in Law
Higher National Diploma in Human Resources Management
“The unbundling is a bold initiative designed to create specialised training opportunities and better equip students to meet emerging governance and administrative challenges,” she said.
Addressing participants, the Rector described the conference theme as “apt and timely,” urging scholars and stakeholders to engage in solution-driven dialogue to address Nigeria’s governance challenges. She emphasised the need to reclaim governance from individuals who prioritise personal interests over the public good, noting that her administration’s 12-point development agenda is fully aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This is about connecting national policy aspirations with local institutional actions, charting a path to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic future,” she said.
One of the resource persons, Dr. Arum Nnenna Charity of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, identified party defections, corruption, insecurity, electoral malpractice, naira devaluation, subsidy removal, and leadership failures as pressing national issues. She called for the strengthening of democratic institutions as a remedy.
Earlier, the representative of the Head of Department, Mr. Ferdinand Ekwealor, expressed appreciation to the Rector, principal officers, and guest lecturers—including Prof. Odum Mbanefo of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University—for their contributions to the conference.
The Local Organising Committee Chairman, Dr. Ijeoma Aniemeka, highlighted the relevance of the conference to national development, commending the department for its initiative.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Awuzie reiterated her administration’s zero tolerance for extortion and sexual harassment, warning that offenders would face severe sanctions.