Minister Of Education Accused OF Double Standard At Federal College Of Education (Technical), Omoku
Allegations of double standards and administrative bias are trailing the Federal Ministry of Education over developments at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku, Rivers State, where key stakeholders have accused the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa of turning a blind eye to alleged irregularities and abuse of due process by the Chairman of the College Governing Council, Obong Stephen Leo Ntukepo.
Sources within the institution revealed that despite several petitions and formal complaints sent to the Minister’s office regarding what they describe as “gross misconduct and manipulation” in the ongoing process for the appointment of a substantive Bursar, the Ministry has allegedly refused to intervene.
*Controversy Over Bursar Appointment*
At the center of the controversy is the claim that Obong Stephen Leo Ntukepo directed the Registrar of the institution to alter and manipulate aspects of the official advertorial for the position of Bursar, contrary to the vetted recommendations of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).
A letter from the NCCE dated 3rd April 2025, with reference number NCCE/HR/FCEO/27/11/153, explicitly approved that only candidates who are Deputy Bursars on CONTDISS 15 are eligible to apply.
However, insiders allege that Obong Ntukepo inserted an unauthorized clause in the advertorial, stating that “a candidate must be a Deputy Bursar/Accountant Cadre or its equivalent on CONTDISS 15.”
This subtle but significant alteration, they claim, was designed to favour a preferred candidate, Mr. Victor Ifeanyi Ahiakwo, currently the Director of Audit at the college, a position he occupies since 2016 till date.
Critics argue that the Audit Directorate is not part of the Bursary Department but functions under the Provost’s office, as reflected in the college’s organogram. They also cite the Federal Government Gazette No. 72 of October 27, 2009 (Vol. 96, Notice No. 29), which explicitly restricts internal audit staff from taking up accounting functions in any ministry or parastatal.
Violation of Statutory Procedure.
In what stakeholders describe as a clear violation of the Federal College of Education Act 2023, the Governing Council Chairman, Obong Ntukepo is alleged to have bypassed Section 20(1) of the Act, which mandates the constitution of a Selection Board for the recruitment of principal officers, including the Bursar.
“Up till now, there is no evidence that a Selection Board was constituted, no screening was conducted and yet, letters of interview were issued,” a senior administrative staff told our correspondent under condition of anonymity.
The staff further alleged that Obong Ntukepo unilaterally relocated the interview venue from Omoku, Rivers State, to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State; his home state, without approval from the full Council, raising suspicions of bias and personal interest.
“There is no crisis or security threat in Rivers State to warrant such relocation. The claim that the college lacks a CBT centre is laughable. Is there no CBT center in Rivers State? Why move the recruitment exercise to your comfort territory?” the source queried.
Selective Invitation and Alleged Intimidation
Reports also suggest that only Council members loyal to the Chairman were invited for the planned interview, effectively sidelining others to ensure the process favoured his candidate.
Adding to the controversy, Obong Ntukepo allegedly boasted that he is “not under the Minister of Education” and would not take directives from the Minister, a statement that stakeholders say has gone unchallenged by the Ministry, despite several written reports and petitions.
“The Minister’s silence in the face of multiple petitions only reinforces the perception that the Ministry is condoning impunity,” one of the petitioners lamented.
Further Allegations of Manipulation.
In another development, it was gathered that the Chairman recently appointed Mr. Frank Marshal, said to be a fourth-ranking Deputy Bursar, as Acting Bursar, allegedly to consolidate control of the Bursary Department, pending the conclusion of the controversial recruitment process.
Critics say the appointment aligns with the interests of the outgone Bursar and former Provost, who are believed to be part of the Chairman’s loyal camp.
*Stakeholders Demand Intervention*
Some academic and non-academic staff unions members within the college have reportedly begun consultations over possible industrial actions should the irregularities persist.
They are calling on the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) and the Minister of Education, the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation and the National Assembly Committees on Education to urgently intervene to restore transparency and accountability in the selection process.
They are also demanding the publication for the position of a Bursar for the institution should be re-advertised in line with NCCE vetting to correct the forged and smuggled part of the earlier advertisement.
“The Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku, Rivers State is a national institution. It must not be reduced to a personal empire,” a union leader said.
Some staff of the Federal College of Education (Tech), who spoke to our correresoondent, also expressed worry, asking what becomes of other contestants like Mr Ohia Clinton O. and Mr Oyetola Ile Nkemakola among others, who are fit for the position of the Bursar of the Federal College of Education (Tech), Omoku, Rivers State.
Yesterday, Monday November 3, 2025, at about 8a.m., the Acting Provost of the Federal College of Education, Dr. Ndu Amadike reportedly visited the office of the Director, Colleges of Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Uba, to allegedly lobby for the sustenance of the actions attributed to the Governing Council Chairman.
It was alleged that the Director, Mrs Uba subsequently approved the conduct of the scheduled interview for Thursday this week, November 6, 2025, following purported financial inducement.
All efforts by our correresoondent to get the reaction of the Chairman, Governing Council of the Federal College of Education (Tech), Omoku Rivers State, Obong Stephen Leo Ntukepo proved abortive, as his mobile phone was switched off as at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, when contacted on his mobile phone, the Acting Provost, Dr Ndu Amadike, who confirmed that he was in Abuja, however said that he could not respond to the allegations over the phone.
