Education Ministry Nullifies Leadership Appointments At Federal College Odugbo
Oluwafunbi Bello 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education has ordered the immediate nullification of the appointments of the Provost, Registrar and Bursar of the Federal College of Education, Odugbo in Benue State, citing violations of established regulations.
In a directive dated March 2, 2026, the ministry instructed the college’s governing council to withdraw the appointment letters and restart the recruitment process.
The letter, signed by Director of Colleges of Education, Dr Uchenna Uba, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, says the appointments contravene the Conditions of Service for Colleges of Education and the approved implementation framework for CONTEDISS 15.
“The process leading to the appointments was conducted in contravention of the Conditions of Service for Colleges of Education,” the ministry states.
The ministry notes that earlier directives had instructed the governing council to suspend the recruitment process and re-advertise the positions in line with regulations.
Invoking powers under Section 12 of the Federal Colleges of Education Act 2023, the ministry orders the council to nullify the appointments immediately and conduct a fresh recruitment exercise.
Officials also instructed the council to re-advertise the provost position within seven days to prevent an administrative vacuum as the tenure of the current provost expires in March 2026.
Meanwhile, the Centre for Accountability and Public Engagement (CAPE) has petitioned the ministry, describing the appointments as a violation of due process.
Executive Director Danielson Akpan says the development raises serious concerns about governance within tertiary institutions.
“Such disregard for due process undermines institutional governance and erodes public confidence in the administration of our tertiary education system,” Akpan says.
The organisation urges the ministry to enforce its directive and sanction officials responsible for violating the recruitment procedures.
About the Author
Oluwatobi Adu 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Mirian Gom