BY NGOZI ONYEAKUSI

Two Civil Society Organisations have asked the Federal Government to restore sanity to the Federal College of Education, Akoka, by reinstating the suspended provost, Dr Wahab Ademola Azeez.
In a letter to the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, and the Centre for Anti-Corruption, reiterated their demand for government to speedily resolve the leadership crisis at the college.
The dispute, which began over leadership disagreements, has disrupted academic and administrative activities since May 2024.
In a letter, CDHR and CACOL urged the Minister of Education, Dr. Alausa, to immediately intervene and reinstate of the substantive provost, Dr Wahab Ademola Azeez after two probe panels completed their jobs.
On July 20, 2024, CDHR and CACOL wrote pleaded in an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to direct the Minister of Education to address the crisis. They emphasized that the Minister must take a swift, impartial action to mediate the conflict and restore normalcy.
Recall that the unrest began on May 27, 2024, when students and staff unions locked the provost’s office, alleging his tenure had expired under the Educational Colleges Act 2023, which introduced a five-year single term. But the provost, Dr. Wahab Ademola Azeez, argued that his reappointment for a second term was in line with existing regulations at the time.
Despite intervention from the former Minister of Education, who affirmed the legality of Dr. Azeez’s second term, protests persisted. The Governing Council later asked Dr. Azeez to “step aside,” appointing Dr. Isaac Miller as acting provost. This move, however, has been contested, as the amended act makes no provision for such an order.
Following violent clashes in July 2024, which led to the vandalism of properties and the arrest of 32 individuals, the Governing Council inaugurated two panels to investigate the crisis. Despite completing their assignments in August 2024, their findings remain unpublished, fuelling concerns over transparency and accountability.
On November 4, NANS expressed dissatisfaction with the imposition of a N10,000 damage fee on all students, deeming it collective punishment. The student body threatened protests if the fee was not reversed and demanded accountability for the violence’s root causes. NANS called for the immediate reversal of the blanket N10,000 levy and prosecution of those responsible for the unrest.
CDHR and CACOL are now asking the Minister of Education to reinstate Dr. Azeez and allow him to complete his term in line with his appointment letter.
They also demand the immediate release of the investigative panels’ findings to ensure fairness and restore peace on campus.
The crisis remains unresolved, with students returning to a tense environment. Stakeholders are urging swift action from the Ministry of Education to prevent further disruption.
“We believe that justice delayed is justice denied,” the letter read, emphasizing the need for integrity and fairness in handling the matter.