The Federal Government has taken the drastic step of indefinitely shutting down the Federal College of Education, Technical in Akoka, Lagos, as the institution grapples with a relentless leadership crisis that has plagued it for over two months.
The decision, which came from the Federal Ministry of Education, underscores the gravity of the situation and the government’s inability to resolve the protracted issue. This comes in the wake of a violent incident on Monday, where properties were destroyed, and even members of the Governing Council narrowly escaped being manhandled.
At the heart of the crisis lies a dispute over the tenure of the embattled Provost, Dr. Wahab Azeez, who was appointed in 2019 for a four-year term, with his tenure subsequently renewed in May last year. However, the landscape shifted in June last year when President Bola Tinubu signed a law capping the tenure of provosts at a single term of five years.
The workers at the college have been insisting that Azeez’s tenure has lapsed, in line with the new legislation. On the other hand, Azeez maintains that the new law does not affect him, as he had already commenced another term. This clash of perspectives has led to a protracted standoff, with the workers shutting down Azeez’s office and those of other management staff since May 26th.
The inability of the Governing Council, led by its Chairman, Dr. Adenuga Olatunde, to mediate the crisis has now resulted in the drastic decision to shut down the entire institution indefinitely. The Council’s planned meeting with the aggrieved parties on Monday was disrupted as students and workers, both teaching and non-teaching, insisted that Azeez should not be allowed to step onto the campus.
This leadership crisis has not only disrupted the academic operations of the college but has also taken a toll on the physical infrastructure. The provost’s official quarters were reportedly vandalized by irate students, underscoring the depth of the tensions within the institution.
The situation at the Federal College of Education, Technical in Akoka is a microcosm of the broader challenges facing the education sector in Nigeria. Leadership disputes, poor governance, and the lack of effective dispute resolution mechanisms have plagued many educational institutions, often resulting in prolonged closures and disruptions to the learning process.
In the larger context, the shutdown of this college comes at a time when the Nigerian education system is grappling with various challenges, including underfunding, infrastructure deficits, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to close the institution indefinitely raises concerns about the long-term consequences for the students, faculty, and the surrounding community, who rely on the college as a vital educational hub.
As the government and relevant stakeholders attempt to resolve this crisis, it is imperative that they adopt a holistic approach that prioritizes the interests of the students, ensures transparent and accountable leadership, and fosters a conducive environment for learning and academic excellence.
The fate of the Federal College of Education, Technical in Akoka serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive reforms and effective conflict resolution mechanisms within the Nigerian education system. Only through such concerted efforts can the country ensure that its educational institutions remain beacons of knowledge, opportunity, and progress for generations to come.
