The House of Representatives Committee on Polytechnic and Higher Technical Education has 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 programme on or before August 18, 2026.

The committee also gave the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, a final opportunity to personally appear before it on September 17, 2026, warning that continued failure to honour its invitations could trigger further legislative action.

The resolutions followed an investigative hearing held at the National Assembly on Thursday, where lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction over the minister’s repeated failure to appear before the committee or send a representative despite several official invitations.

The committee’s Chairman, Kayode Laguda, said the panel had written to the ministry on several occasions, beginning on January 30, 2025, requesting information on the implementation of the government’s TVET programme.

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According to him, the most recent correspondence, dated July 30, 2026, sought detailed information on the programme and invited the ministry to appear before the committee.

“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,” Laguda narrated.

He described the minister’s absence as unexpected, noting that the committee had previously maintained a cordial working relationship with the ministry.

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 in the exercise of its legislative and oversight responsibilities.

The hearing became tense as the committee members criticised what they described as the ministry’s failure to cooperate with the investigation.

A member of the committee, Rabiu Yusuf, accused the minister of showing “a high level of disrespect” to the National Assembly and moved a motion calling for a vote of no confidence.

“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.

Another lawmaker, Bayo Adepoju, also condemned the minister’s repeated absence, describing it as “a direct affront to parliament.”

He said, “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.”

However, some lawmakers urged caution.

Paul Kalejaiye appealed to the committee to give the minister one final opportunity to appear before taking any punitive action, saying, “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.”

Adepoju supported the proposal, maintaining that although the minister’s conduct was unacceptable, the committee should formally register its displeasure while allowing the ministry one final opportunity to comply.

Laguda endorsed the position, saying his previous engagements with the minister suggested that the situation might have been caused by circumstances beyond his control.

“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.

Following deliberations, the committee resolved to issue a fresh directive requiring the ministry to submit all previously requested documents and information on the TVET programme to its secretariat on or before August 18.

The investigative hearing was subsequently adjourned to September 17, with the minister directed to personally appear before the lawmakers.

Announcing the committee’s decision, Laguda said the ministry was expected to provide comprehensive records covering the implementation of the TVET initiative from its inception to date.

“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 September 17, and we hope that the minister will be present on the new date given,” he said.

The TVET programme is one of the Federal Government’s flagship initiatives aimed at expanding technical and vocational education, equipping young Nigerians with industry-relevant skills, addressing unemployment and closing the country’s skills gap. The House Committee’s investigation is intended to evaluate the programme’s implementation, funding, execution and overall effectiveness as part of the National Assembly’s constitutional oversight functions.

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He said the commission would work to ensure that staff welfare remained a priority while also ensuring that employees lived up to their responsibilities.

The chairman said, “We are committed to carrying out the task entrusted to us by His Excellency, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, particularly in handling all issues pertaining to staff welfare in accordance with the Commission’s establishment law.”

The development came as the leadership of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, representing both the House of Assembly and Assembly Service Commission chapters, paid a courtesy visit to the commission.

The PASAN delegation congratulated the chairman and members of the commission on their appointments by the governor and pledged its support for the new leadership.

The association, however, appealed to the commission to prioritise the timely promotion of staff, capacity building and improved welfare.

The PASAN leadership called for prompt implementation of staff promotions when due, as well as training and retraining programmes and workshops to enhance the capacity of workers.

It also appealed for the payment of wardrobe allowance to staff of the Assembly.

Responding, Ibrahim thanked the association for the visit and pledged to work closely with PASAN to improve the effectiveness of the Assembly Service Commission.

He said, “We appreciate the leadership of PASAN for this visit and for the support extended to the commission. We will work closely with you as partners in progress for the betterment of the Commission and the state.”

The chairman also assured the association that the issues raised during the visit would be given due consideration.

However, he warned staff against indiscipline, urging them to demonstrate commitment to their duties.