The Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos, is embroiled in a contentious dispute between the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the Student Union Government (SUG). The heart of the conflict lies in accusations of leadership failure, deteriorating infrastructure, and neglect of student welfare. NANS initiated the public clash by issuing a statement condemning the college management for allegedly ignoring their delegation during a visit and asserting that the institution was operating dysfunctionally under an administratively inept leadership. This sparked a fierce rebuttal from the SUG, further escalating the tension and setting the stage for a bitter public exchange.
The SUG President, Comrade Junaid Michael, vehemently denied the allegations, characterizing the NANS statement as “misleading, unfounded, and unpatriotic.” He clarified that the NANS delegation had failed to adhere to established protocol by not submitting a formal request through the SUG office, a necessary step for arranging meetings with college officials. Despite this procedural oversight, Michael claimed he had offered to facilitate the meeting upon receipt of a formal letter, which, he asserts, was never submitted. He further defended the college administration against accusations of neglect, acknowledging existing challenges common to public institutions but rejecting the portrayal of the school as being on “autopilot” or abandoning student welfare.
NANS JCC Lagos, however, dismissed Michael’s response as a “scripted defense” orchestrated by the college management, alleging that the SUG president was merely acting as a mouthpiece for the Acting Provost Dr. Isaac Miller and Registrar Mr. Rasheed Dada. They further accused the management of coercing the SUG to downplay the crisis and claimed that a climate of fear prevailed on campus, with students facing threats of academic repercussions for speaking out. NANS issued a stern warning against any form of student victimization, promising resistance from the wider Nigerian student movement. This back-and-forth between NANS and the SUG deepened the divide, painting a picture of a campus community fractured by mistrust and conflicting narratives.
Beyond the leadership dispute, NANS raised serious concerns about campus security, questioning the reduction of armed security personnel from nine to three since the 2019 fatal shooting of a student. They also highlighted the vacant Chief Security Officer position and the lack of replacements for other dismissed security staff. This contrasts sharply, they argued, with other institutions like the University of Lagos and Yaba College of Technology, which have been bolstering their security measures. NANS also criticized the abandonment of several infrastructural projects, including the main gate, the Kinetics pitch, public toilets, and the female hostel renovation, all of which have allegedly been left incomplete for nine months. These specific instances of neglect, according to NANS, further underscore the management’s failure to prioritize student well-being and maintain a conducive learning environment.
The ongoing crisis has prompted NANS JCC Lagos to demand immediate intervention from the Federal Ministry of Education, calling for a neutral fact-finding team to investigate the allegations of infrastructural decay, student welfare neglect, and abuse of office. They specifically urged a probe into the roles of Dr. Isaac Miller and Mr. Rasheed Dada in the perceived “failures and administrative arrogance.” NANS further emphasized the need to protect students and student leaders who have voiced their concerns. The student body has vowed to escalate its actions, promising a major press conference to present evidence and testimonies to the media and the public, signaling a commitment to holding the college leadership accountable.
The unfolding situation at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, presents a complex picture of administrative dysfunction, student activism, and contested narratives. The core issues revolve around leadership accountability, the deteriorating state of campus infrastructure, and the perceived neglect of student welfare. The clash between NANS and the SUG, exacerbated by accusations of coercion and a climate of fear, highlights a deeper fracture within the campus community. The demands for external intervention from the Federal Ministry of Education underscore the urgency and gravity of the situation, with the potential for further escalation if decisive action is not taken to address the underlying concerns. The planned press conference by NANS promises to bring the issues into sharper public focus, potentially leading to wider scrutiny and pressure for meaningful reforms.
