By| Goodluck E.Adubazi | Abuja
A civil society organization, the Centre for Accountability and Public Engagement (CAPE), has petitioned the Federal Government over what it described as the “irregular appointment” of principal officers at the Federal College of Education (FCE), Odugbo, Benue State.
In a petition addressed to the Minister of Education and made available to journalists, the group alleged that the appointment of the Provost, Registrar, and Bursar of the college was carried out in violation of established regulations guiding such processes in federal colleges of education.
The petition, signed by the Executive Director of the organization, Comrade Danielson Akpan, claimed that information available to the group — including official correspondence from the Federal Ministry of Education — indicates that the exercise breached provisions of the Conditions of Service for Colleges of Education.
According to the petition, the Ministry had acknowledged that the process contravened Section 2, Subsection 8(I)(i) of the Conditions of Service as well as approved modalities for the implementation of CONTEDISS 15 for staff on administrative and accounting cadres.
The organization further alleged that the appointments were carried out despite earlier directives from the supervising ministry instructing the institution to suspend the process and re-advertise the positions in line with existing regulations.
Describing the development as troubling, the group said the alleged disregard for due process could undermine institutional governance and weaken public confidence in the administration of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
The petition also linked the issue to what it described as a growing pattern of controversial leadership appointments in some federal tertiary institutions, noting that recent disputes in universities and colleges have raised concerns about transparency and adherence to statutory procedures.
The group warned that such developments could undermine the Federal Government’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which it said emphasizes transparency, rule of law, and good governance.
As part of its demands, the organization called on the Minister of Education to intervene urgently by cancelling the appointments and ensuring strict compliance with the regulations governing federal colleges of education.
Specifically, the petition urged the ministry to ensure the immediate cancellation of the appointments of the Provost, Registrar, and Bursar of FCE Odugbo; compel the Governing Council of the institution to withdraw the appointment letters issued during the disputed process; and direct that the positions be re-advertised in line with the Conditions of Service and other relevant regulations.
The group also called for sanctions against members of the Governing Council, the college management, or any individuals found to have deliberately violated established procedures.
Akpan stressed that the credibility and stability of Nigeria’s tertiary education system depend largely on strict adherence to due process in the appointment of institutional leadership.
“We will continue to monitor developments closely and will not hesitate to take all legitimate steps necessary to defend the integrity of tertiary institution management in Nigeria,” the petition stated.
