By Ayodele Quadri, Lagos Times Correspondent
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The House of Representatives Committee on Polytechnic and Higher Technical Education has issued a final summons to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, demanding his personal appearance to address inquiries surrounding the implementation of the Federal Government’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program.
During an investigative hearing held on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at the National Assembly, lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction over the minister’s repeated failure to attend scheduled sessions or designate an official representative despite multiple formal invitations.
The committee has directed the Federal Ministry of Education to submit all requested TVET implementation documents on or before August 18, 2026, and set a final deadline of September 17, 2026, for Minister Alausa to appear before the panel, warning that further non-compliance could trigger statutory legislative enforcement.
Key Operational Highlights
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Document Deadline Set: The House panel gave the Ministry of Education until August 18, 2026, to turn over all records, financial allocations, and execution documents regarding the TVET program.
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Final Appearance Date: Minister Tunji Alausa has been given a final window to appear in person before the committee on September 17, 2026.
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Repeated Non-Appearance: Committee Leadership revealed that formal correspondences requesting TVET documentation began on January 30, 2025, with the most recent invitation sent on July 30, 2026—none of which produced attendance or representation.
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Constitutional Mandate Invoked: Lawmakers reminded the ministry of Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which grant the National Assembly powers to conduct oversight and compel the attendance of public officials.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ HOUSE REPS TVET PROBE & SUMMONS MATRIX │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Investigating Panel : House Committee on Polytechnic & Higher │
│ Technical Education (Hon. Kayode Laguda, Chair)│
│ │
│ • Summoned Official : Dr. Tunji Alausa (Minister of Education) │
│ │
│ • Core Subject Matter : Technical and Vocational Education and │
│ Training (TVET) Program Oversight │
│ │
│ • Document Submission : August 18, 2026 │
│ │
│ • Final Hearing Date : September 17, 2026 │
│ │
│ • Statutory Powers : Sections 88 & 89, 1999 Constitution (as amended)│
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘“Repeated Failure to Honor Invitations Undermines Legislative Oversight”
Explaining the committee’s decision to issue the final summons, Chairman of the House Committee on Polytechnic and Higher Technical Education, Hon. Kayode Laguda, stated:
“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.” — Hon. Kayode Laguda, Chairman, House Committee on Polytechnic & Higher Technical Education
Reiterating the legislature’s constitutional mandate to compel public accountability, Laguda added:
“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… We are giving the minister a final opportunity to personally appear before this committee on September 17, 2026.” — Hon. Kayode Laguda
