News
FCE Obudu Provost Suspended Over Alleged Misconduct, Maladministration
…. Governing Council Acts on Staff Union Petitions Over Irregular Auction of College Vehicles
Joel Ajayi
The Governing Council of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Obudu, Cross River State, has suspended the institution’s Provost, Dr. Richard Utubaku, following multiple allegations of gross misconduct, maladministration, and violations of public service regulations.
The suspension was formally communicated in a letter dated October 14, 2025, and signed by the College Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mr. Evans Iyenya. The document, referenced FCE/OB/REG/CT-A/Vol.II/273, was titled “Letter of Suspension and General Inefficiency.”
Allegations and Petitions
According to the Governing Council, its decision followed a wave of petitions and formal complaints submitted by key stakeholders within the college community—including Deans of Schools, the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), the Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and the Director of Procurement.
The Registrar stated: “I am directed to inform you that the 8th Governing Council is in receipt of allegations and series of complaints against you from Deans of Schools, the three Unions in the College—COEASU, SSUCOEN, NASU—and the Director of Procurement for surreptitiously auctioning the College’s unserviceable cars and other irregularities in vehicle disposal. This is in violation of the White Paper of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the report of the visiting panel into the affairs of the College (2011–2015).”
The Council noted that Dr. Utubaku allegedly sold approximately 15 college vehicles—including official and utility cars—without due process, and in apparent contravention of federal regulations governing asset disposal. Several of the vehicles were reportedly acquired by individuals with close personal ties to the Provost.
Suspension and Interim Arrangements
Following deliberations at its 5th Regular Meeting, the Council resolved to place Dr. Utubaku on a three-month suspension, effective October 14, 2025.
He has been instructed to hand over all college property and official documents to the Deputy Provost to ensure continuity in administration during the investigation.
Mounting Tensions and Union Threats
Insider reports indicate that the Provost had been locked in a long-standing dispute with staff unions, who have consistently accused him of authoritarian leadership, lack of transparency, and failure to comply with established procedures.
In a recent petition, COEASU described the alleged auction as a “kangaroo exercise” and demanded the immediate reversal of the transactions.
The union issued an ultimatum to the Provost, insisting that all affected vehicles be returned to the institution by October 14, 2025. It warned that failure to comply would trigger industrial action, potentially paralyzing both academic and administrative activities on campus.
Governing Council’s Next Steps
In an effort to ease growing unrest and restore order within the institution, the Governing Council is expected to set up an investigative panel to thoroughly examine the allegations.
The panel will focus on the vehicle disposal process and other administrative actions taken under Dr. Utubaku’s leadership, with a mandate to determine whether government-approved procedures were violated.
As investigations begin, the atmosphere on campus remains tense, with staff and students closely monitoring developments and awaiting the Council’s final verdict.
News
Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment To A Digitally-Driven Workforce
Joel Ajayi
In a strong affirmation of his administration’s vision for a technology-enabled public service, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has reiterated the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to building a world-class, digitally-driven, and citizen-centred workforce capable of driving inclusive and sustainable national development.
The President, represented by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, at the opening ceremony of the 57th International Conference and Exhibition of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) held in Abuja, noted that the Conference provides a vital platform for thought leaders, policymakers, and human resource professionals to examine and discuss the evolving dynamics of work under the theme, “Reimagining the New World of Work.”
President Tinubu commended the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria for its consistency and nearly six decades of professional excellence, ethical leadership, and dedication to human capital development in Nigeria. He acknowledged the Institute’s invaluable role in promoting professionalism and strengthening workforce governance across both public and private sectors.
Highlighting the Administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the President emphasized that “Nigeria’s greatest asset is not its oil or minerals, but its people.” He underscored key Federal Government initiatives such as the 3 Million Technical Talent Programme (3MTT) and the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), designed to position Nigeria as a global hub for skilled digital professionals.
The President also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ongoing public service transformation through the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2025 (FCSSIP25), which aims to achieve a fully digital and paperless civil service by 31st December, 2025.
He explained that the adoption of the Enterprise Content Management (ECM) solution is a major milestone in enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accountability in public service operations.
In his welcome address, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir FCIPM, fnli, emphasized that the future of work will not necessarily reward the strongest or the smartest, but those courageous enough to remain human in a digital world. He described the conference as “not just another HR event, but a transformative movement that will echo through boardrooms, classrooms, and corridors of influence for years to come.”
Mallam Gobir reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to redefining workplace leadership and advancing professional excellence. He urged human resource professionals to transcend traditional management practices and cultivate work environments “where humans and technology collaborate, not compete; where innovation meets integrity, and productivity aligns with purpose.”
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