Crisis Brews at Federal College of Agriculture Over Emergence of Two Provosts

News in brief:

-Staff unions at the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, protested the appointment of Agwu Ekwe as substantive provost, citing due process violations.

-The crisis has created confusion over leadership between Ekwe and acting provost Jonah Nwawuisi

A leadership crisis has erupted at the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, following the emergence of two individuals laying claim to the position of provost.

The dispute involves the acting provost, Jonah Nwawuisi, and Agwu Ekwe, who was recently appointed as substantive provost by the Federal Government on April 10, 2026.

Unions Protest Appointment, Lockdown College

The crisis escalated on Monday when members of the Joint Union Action and the Academic Staff Union of Colleges of Agriculture rejected Ekwe’s appointment.

The protesting unions locked the college gate and the provost’s office, staging demonstrations within the campus that paralysed academic activities and heightened tension across the institution.

Chairman of the Joint Union Action, Dr ThankGod Nwaneri, said the situation had created confusion among staff members, as both individuals had issued directives as provost.

According to him, the uncertainty forced him to disregard instructions because it was unclear which authority to obey.

He alleged that the appointment of Ekwe did not follow due process, noting that several qualified candidates had applied for the position but had not yet been invited for written or oral interviews.

Unions Allege Breach of Due Process

Nwaneri explained that the governing council had advertised vacancies in June 2025 for the positions of chief executive officer and provost across seven colleges of agriculture.

However, he said the appointment of a substantive provost for the Ishiagu college without completing the required recruitment procedures was irregular and undermined transparency and fairness.

The union also criticised recent administrative actions allegedly carried out under the directive of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, including the transfer of the college registrar, procurement officer and former director of works to other states.

According to him, the transfers were carried out without clear justification and raised concerns about administrative propriety and respect for institutional processes.

The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Colleges of Agriculture, Kadurumba Chukwuemeka, also rejected the appointment of a university professor as provost of the college.

He described the decision as unacceptable and inconsistent with established procedures guiding the administration of colleges of agriculture.

The union demanded the immediate withdrawal of the appointment and the commencement of a transparent selection process for all seven affected colleges.

Union Issues 14-Day Ultimatum

ASUCA further called for the conclusion of appointments for substantive provosts in the seven colleges within 14 days and the immediate release of the revised scheme and conditions of service for colleges of agriculture.

The union warned that failure to address the demands within the stipulated period would lead to the resumption of a previously suspended strike, including coordinated protests across the country.