…direct ministry to submit relevant documents by August 18
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Committee on Polytechnic and Higher Technical Education has given the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, a final opportunity to personally appear before lawmakers on September 17, 2026, warning that further legislative action could follow if he fails to honour the invitation. 
The committee also directed the Federal Ministry of Education to submit all documents relating to the implementation of the Federal Government’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme on or before August 18, 2026.
The resolutions were reached during an investigative hearing at the National Assembly on Thursday after lawmakers expressed frustration over the minister’s repeated absence despite several official invitations.
Committee Chairman, Rep. Fuad Kayode Laguda, said members were disappointed that neither the minister nor any representative of the ministry attended the hearing, describing the situation as unacceptable.
He disclosed that the committee had been seeking information on the implementation of the TVET programme for more than a year.
Laguda said: “We have written several correspondences starting from January 30, 2025, seeking information on the activities of 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”.
He noted that the committee had always maintained a cordial working relationship with the ministry, adding that the latest development came as a surprise.
Laguda reminded the ministry that Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) empower the National Assembly to investigate the activities of ministries, departments and agencies as part of its oversight responsibilities.
The minister’s absence drew sharp criticism from members of the committee, with some describing it as a slight on the authority of Parliament.
Rep. Rabiu Yusuf accused the minister of showing what he described as “a high level of disrespect” to the legislature and moved a motion for a vote of no confidence against him.
“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,” Yusuf said.
Also speaking, Rep. Bayo Adepoju described the minister’s conduct as unacceptable.
“This is rude, unacceptable, and something that should not happen in a democracy. We are constitutionally empowered to conduct oversight on ministries, departments, and agencies. Nobody is above Parliament. After six letters to the ministry, the minister has still failed to appear. Nigerians deserve to know how this programme is being implemented,” he said.
However, some lawmakers urged restraint.
Rep. Paul Kalejaiye appealed to his colleagues to give the minister one final opportunity before taking disciplinary action.
“This is the first time we are making a public pronouncement on him. We should give the honourable minister another chance by issuing him an ultimatum and fixing a date to appear before this committee before we pass a vote of no confidence,” Kalejaiye said.
Adepoju also backed the proposal for a final opportunity, maintaining that although the minister’s absence was unacceptable, the committee should allow the ministry one last chance to comply.
Supporting the position, Laguda said he had previously enjoyed a productive working relationship with the minister and was prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt.
“I’ve had engagements with the minister in the past. I don’t see him as someone who would deliberately do this. Maybe there are reasons for it, but whatever is responsible, this definitely should not happen again,” he said.
The committee subsequently directed the Federal Ministry of Education to submit all requested documents relating to the TVET programme to its secretariat no later than August 18, 2026.
It also adjourned the investigative hearing to September 17, 2026, directing the minister to appear in person and provide a comprehensive account of the programme’s implementation from inception to date.
Announcing the committee’s decision, Laguda said: “We are using this platform to request from the ministry to supply the committee with the necessary information that has been requested from inception to date. The submission of this information should be made available to the secretariat by the 18th of August.
“We are adjourning this meeting with the Minister and the Ministry of Education to the 17th of September, and we hope that the minister will be present on the new date given.”
The committee said the documents are essential to enable lawmakers scrutinise the implementation of the TVET initiative and ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public resources allocated to technical and vocational education across the country.
