The federal government has taken a decisive step to address the prolonged institutional crisis at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, by inaugurating a special visitation panel to investigate and resolve the issues that have disrupted academic and administrative stability at the institution.
The 10-member panel was inaugurated on Tuesday in Abuja by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who emphasised that the initiative is not a fault-finding mission, but a deliberate and structured intervention to restore integrity, discipline, and effective governance within the college.
Dr. Alausa noted that the panel’s formation followed a detailed report from the governing council of the college, which highlighted the extent of the internal crisis. According to him, the government is committed to resolving similar challenges across tertiary institutions as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for education reform.
“This is a structured intervention aimed at restoring institutional integrity and creating an environment conducive to learning and academic growth,” the minister said. He charged the panel to carry out its task with diligence, fairness, and a strong sense of national duty, and set a two-week deadline for the submission of their findings and recommendations.
Chairman of the panel, Mohammed Abubakar, assured the minister and all stakeholders of a thorough and impartial investigation. “We will leave no stone unturned in getting to the root of the problem,” he said, expressing gratitude for the confidence reposed in the panel members.
Mr. Abubakar praised the minister’s foresight and the inclusion of seasoned professionals in the panel, stressing that their combined experience would be instrumental in delivering a credible outcome. He pledged that the panel would work with integrity, objectivity, and professionalism throughout the assignment.
The panel’s mandate includes examining the origins and nature of the crisis, investigating the roles played by staff unions, assessing the conduct of both former and acting provosts, and evaluating the institution’s disciplinary processes. They are also expected to identify individuals involved in misconduct and recommend actionable reforms to restore order and stability.
Panel members include Faruk Haruna, Adamu Kwami, Ismail Aidatu, Smart Olubeko, Danladi Misheliza, Omotayo Adeyemi, Peters Adeyemi, Godwin Egbunefu, and Etu Samuel.
The inauguration of the panel underscores the federal government’s renewed resolve to confront dysfunction in public tertiary institutions and create sustainable systems for academic and institutional excellence.