Despite efforts by the Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, to resolve ongoing tensions at the Federal College of Education, Technical (FCET), Akoka, Lagos, staff members continue to threaten action over the tenure of the institution’s Provost, Wahab Azeez.
The protest, which began on May 27, has seen the Provost’s office and those of other principal officers locked for over a month.
The staff members insist that under the newly amended Colleges of Education Establishment Act, Mr. Azeez’s tenure should have ended on May 26.
However, a clarification from the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, indicated that Mr. Azeez’s tenure is valid until May 26, 2027, as he commenced his second term before the new act was signed into law on June 12.
During a reconciliatory meeting chaired by Dr Sununu, agreements were reached and signed by representatives from the ministry, the newly inaugurated governing council, and staff unions.
The resolutions included reopening the Provost’s office and halting the protest. The council members are scheduled to meet with staff on July 9 to further address their concerns.
Nevertheless, videos shared with EduCeleb.com reveal that some union members plan to continue their confrontation.
In one video, Deputy Registrar Leye Olamiju discussed strategies for the upcoming meeting, emphasizing the need to highlight the college’s poor state.
“We built this institution and we should be the ones to address its issues,” Mr. Olamiju said.
He stressed the importance of demonstrating the college’s deplorable conditions to the visiting council.
Another video featured a lecturer, Kolade Ayeyemi, mocking the minister and reinforcing the workers’ determination to oust the Provost.
“We have endured enough,” Mr. Ayeyemi declared. “It’s time to signal the end of his tenure.”
The resolutions from the Abuja meeting also mandated the new council to investigate alleged misappropriation of funds for the college’s fencing and improve chief lecturers’ office conditions.
Additionally, the council was directed to address the appointment of the institution’s bursar.
The situation at FCET remains tense as staff await the governing council’s visit, hoping for a resolution that addresses their demands and concerns comprehensively.
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