FCE governing council removes Provost, appoints replacement

Days after lingering protests by the students and staff members on the leadership crisis that erupted in the Federal College of Education, Technical, Akoka, Lagos State, the Governing Council has announced the appointment of Isaac Miller as the acting provost of the institution.

This was contained in an internal memo released by the management on Wednesday.

In the memo referencing FCE/T/AK/RO/IM/2/206 and signed by the college Registrar, Rasheed Dada, the council said Wahab Azeez should “step down” as the provost effective July 31.

According Metro reported that the ongoing leadership crisis in the institution escalated on Monday when videos emerged showing protesting students vandalising the official vehicles of the governing council members, who reportedly narrowly avoided being physically attacked.

“This is to inform the College Community that at the inaugural meeting of the 8th Governing Council of the College on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, the council directed that Wahab Ademola Azeez should step aside from office as the Provost of the College with effect from July 31, 2024,” the statement reads in part.

“Sequel to the above, the council unanimously resolved to appoint Dr. Isaac Oluwatoyin Miller as the acting Provost with immediate effect.”

In previous separate interviews with According Metro, the students claimed that their protests were in response to poor campus welfare and the treatment they received from the provost.

A student, speaking anonymously out of fear of victimisation, sent a voice note to our correspondent claiming that police officers “came and started shooting students.” The student further alleged that the school management had invited the police to the campus.

In his defence, the embattled provost claimed in a separate interview with our correspondent that the protesting students were being incited by staff members eyeing his position.

To quell Monday’s violence and restore law and order, the state police command arrested 32 suspects for allegedly attacking the Federal Government inspection team.