Ondo Poly graduates cry out over certificate delay, seek govt intervention

By Boye Oyeyemi

Some former students of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic (RUGIPO), Owo, have expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in the release of their academic certificates, noting that the situation has hindered their career and academic progress years after graduation.

The graduates, who completed their programmes between 2014 and 2021, said repeated efforts to obtain their certificates from the institution have been unsuccessful, leaving many unable to secure employment or pursue further studies.

Speaking with journalists, Mr Adeniyi Fadeyi, one of the affected graduates, described the situation as disturbing, stressing that he completed all clearance requirements but has yet to receive his certificate.

“I graduated in 2019 and completed my clearance long ago. In April 2025, I visited the school, but I was told there was no paper to print it. Since then, nothing has changed,” Fadeyi lamented.

Another graduate, Mrs. Aina Waremi, also expressed her frustration, revealing that she had travelled from Lagos to Owo multiple times to collect her certificate, only to return empty-handed each time while calling on the state government to intervene in the quagmire.

“I have visited the school more than five times. Each visit comes with a new explanation, but at the end, I leave without my certificate. It is exhausting and costly,” she said.

Reacting to the issue, the polytechnic management acknowledged the delay but clarified that it was not due to a lack of printing materials. Mr Olumide Olugosi, the school’s public reations and protocol officer, explained that the last batch of certificates had been exhausted.

Olugosi added that new batches have been ordered and assured graduates that certificates would be issued once they arrive, amid apologising for the inconvenience and appealed for patience.