BREAKING NEWS: Tension Mounts in FCE Yola as COEASU Calls for Sack of Provost
By Emeka Amaefula
Tension has continued to escalate at the Federal College of Education Yola following a demand by the national body of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) for the removal of the College Provost, Dr. Usman Mohammed Degereji, over alleged administrative irregularities and abuse of office.
The National Executive Council (NEC) of COEASU accused the Provost of allegedly creating deep divisions within the academic community and compelling academic staff members to resign from the union.
According to the union:
“NEC observed that the Provost initiated and ensured the division of the rank and file of the academic community by surreptitiously instigating Heads of Departments to dismember the Union, COEASU, an act viewed as anti-union.
“The Provost also allegedly midwifed the process of forcing academic staff to resign from the Union, resulting in about 198 forced dis-memberships through Heads of Departments who supervised and directed the collection of signatures from members.”
Fresh cracks reportedly emerged within the College following allegations that the Provost directed some COEASU members to boycott a planned visit by the national leadership of the union to the institution.
A directive allegedly issued by a group known as Concerned Academic Staff of the Federal College of Education Yola — believed by some union members to be backed by the Provost in opposition to the existing COEASU leadership in the College — called on academic staff to stay away from the planned congress meeting with the national body over unresolved disputes.
In a circular dated May 18, 2025, and signed by Dr. Hamman Tukur Gabdo alongside Anthony J. Ukwumonu, the group endorsed a notice of loss of confidence against the leadership of Dr. Salihu Mohammed Umar and his executive committee.
The group claimed it had received credible information that the national leadership of COEASU planned to visit the College to meet members, while efforts were allegedly being made to frustrate the congress meeting.
It was gathered that the disagreement between the union and the Provost began after some academic staff reportedly demanded explanations over disparities in the payment of Teaching Practice allowances compared to what was paid in other Colleges of Education, as discussed on the union’s WhatsApp platform.
Sources alleged that the development angered the Provost, who subsequently initiated disciplinary actions against some staff members, including alleged denial of promotions and exclusion from key academic activities.
The leadership of COEASU in the College reportedly condemned the move, leading to further internal disputes and allegations of attempts to dismantle the union’s executive structure.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Provost were unsuccessful, as calls placed to him were not answered at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the campus community of Federal College of Education Yola remained tense, with protesting COEASU chapter members allegedly advancing to have access to the proposed venue for the meeting of national delegates at the institution.
Inquiry Notice Delivered to the Provost by Veteran Journalist, Emeka Amaefula, yet he never responded as a principle of fair comment was extended to him but he failed to avail journalists his own side of the development at FCE YOLA ADAMAWA STATE
BREAKING NEWS – FCE YOLA, ADAMAWA STATE
Good morning, Sir.
I am a veteran journalist in receipt of information alleging that you may be using your office and position in ways capable of causing a breach of peace at the Federal College of Education (FCE), Yola, Adamawa State.
The allegations suggest that concerns have arisen over your management of staff welfare issues and what some stakeholders describe as an alleged refusal to acknowledge shortcomings in managerial handling of staff-related matters.
It is further alleged that the national leadership of COEASU has called for your removal over issues linked to these claims.
Additionally, there are reports from security sources alleging that you may have sponsored or supported the formation of a breakaway COEASU faction intended to operate alongside or against the existing COEASU structure.
As a matter of fairness and in keeping with the ethics of balanced journalism, kindly respond to these allegations and clarify your position on the issues raised.
Your response will be appreciated and reflected accordingly.
By Emeka Amaefula
