A civil society organisation, the Centre for Accountability and Public Engagement, has raised concern over alleged irregular appointments of principal officers at the Federal College of Education (FCE), Odugbo, Benue.
The group described the development as a violation of established procedures guiding appointments in federal colleges of education.
Its Executive Director, Comrade Danielson Akpan, said the appointments of the Provost, Registrar and Bursar allegedly contravened relevant regulations governing such exercises.
- Advertisement -
Akpan said information available to the group, including correspondence from the Federal Ministry of Education, indicated the process violated the Conditions of Service for Colleges of Education.
He said the alleged violations also affected provisions under Section 2, Subsection 8(I)(i) and the approved modalities for implementing CONTEDISS 15 for administrative and accountant cadres.
“It is particularly troubling that these appointments were made despite earlier directives from the supervising Ministry to suspend the exercise and re-advertise the positions in line with extant regulations. “Such disregard for due process undermines institutional governance and erodes public confidence in the administration of our tertiary education system.
“We, therefore, view this development as part of a worrying pattern of administrative arbitrariness and procedural violations that have increasingly characterised appointments in some tertiary institutions in Nigeria,” Akpan said.
Akpan noted that recent controversies surrounding leadership selections in some universities had raised concerns about transparency and compliance with established statutes.
He added that the situation was troubling at a time the Federal Government was promoting its Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, actions perceived to disregard institutional regulations may cast doubts on government’s commitment to transparency and good governance in the education sector.
Akpan called on the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, to ensure immediate cancellation of the appointments and compel the governing council to withdraw the letters issued.
He also urged the ministry to direct the re-advertisement of the positions in line with the Conditions of Service and other relevant regulations.
The executive director further called for sanctions against any individual or institution found to have violated established procedures.
Akpan said adherence to due process remained critical to protecting the credibility, stability and integrity of tertiary education institutions in the country.
He added that the group would continue to monitor developments and take legitimate steps to safeguard accountability in the management of tertiary institutions.
