In response to continued protests from students and staff members regarding the leadership crisis at the Federal College of Education, Technical, Akoka, Lagos State, the Governing Council has named Isaac Miller as the interim Provost of the institution, as detailed in an internal memo issued by the management on Wednesday.
The memo, marked as FCE/T/AK/RO/IM/2/206 and signed by the college Registrar Rasheed Dada, announces the removal of Wahab Azeez from the position of Provost, effective July 31.
PUNCH Metro reported that tensions at the institution peaked recently when protesting students were seen damaging the official vehicles of council members, narrowly avoiding physical altercations.
The statement from the council read, “Following the inaugural meeting of the 8th Governing Council on July 30, 2024, it was decided that Wahab Ademola Azeez step down as Provost, effective July 31, 2024. As a result, Dr. Isaac Oluwatoyin Miller has been appointed as the acting Provost with immediate effect.”
Students, in previous interactions with PUNCH Metro, attributed their protests to dissatisfaction with campus welfare and alleged mistreatment by the former Provost.
One student, who wished to remain anonymous, reported police actions during the protests, claiming that officers had fired at students and suggesting collaboration between the school management and law enforcement.
Defending his actions, the ousted Provost suggested in a separate interview that his opponents among the staff were influencing the student demonstrations.
To restore order and address the disturbances, the state police apprehended 32 suspects accused of disrupting the Federal Government inspection team on the campus.