The eighth Governing Council of the Federal College of Education, Obudu, in Cross River State, has suspended the Provost, Dr Ugbaha Utubaku, over allegations of maladministration and gross misconduct.

The suspension was announced in a letter signed by the Registrar and Secretary of Council,  Evans Iyenya, with reference number FCE/OB/REG/CT-A/Vol.II/273, titled “LETTER OF SUSPENSION AND GENERAL INEFFICIENCY.”

According to the letter made available to newsmen on Wednesday, the decision was reached following a series of petitions against the Provost from the Deans of Schools, and the three major staff unions in the College — the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education, Nigeria (SSUCOEN), and the Non-Academic Staff Union as well as the Director of Procurement.

The petitions accused Utubaku of auctioning the college’s unserviceable cars and other vehicles to cronies and family members without due process.

 The action, according to the letter, violates 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 letter read in part, “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; Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Senior Staff Union in Colleges Of Education Nigeria (SSUCOEN), Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and Director of Procurement for surreptitiously auctioning of college unserviceable cars and other irregularities vehicles. 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.”

Consequently, the Council, at its 5th Regular Meeting, directed that Utubaku proceed on a three-month suspension effective from October 14, 2025, pending the conclusion of an investigation into the allegations.

The embattled Provost is further accused of insensitivity to staff welfare, high-handedness, and a lack of transparency in managing college affairs.

Meanwhile, the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union has given Utubaku until October 14, 2025, to return the auctioned vehicles or face industrial action.

The Governing Council assured stakeholders that the decision was made in the institution’s best interest to ensure accountability and restore confidence in its leadership structure.

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Nigerian senior secondary school students in arts and humanities will no longer be required to present a credit in mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination, organised by the West African Examination Council and National Examination Council, as a condition for admission to universities and polytechnics, the Federal Ministry of Education said on Tuesday.

For years, admission seekers in arts and humanities, like their contemporaries in sciences and social sciences, have been mandated to have five credits, including mathematics and English language, to secure admission into higher institutions.

“The revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove barriers while maintaining academic standards.

“The new framework applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies across the country as follows:

“Universities: Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings. Mathematics is mandatory for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.

“Polytechnics (ND Level): Minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language for non-science courses and Mathematics for science-related programs.

“Polytechnics (HND Level): Minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

“Colleges of Education (NCE Level): Minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, with English Language mandatory for Arts and Social Science courses, and Mathematics required for Science, Vocational, and Technical programs,” a statement by the FME’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, said.

An education analyst, Ayodamola Oluwatoyin, who spoke to our correspondent in Abuja, hailed the reform.

“This is a brilliant reform, which we hope will open the doors and improve the ease of admissions into tertiary institutions for more seekers.”

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described the reform as a deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education.

The ministry also approved a comprehensive reform of admission entry requirements into all tertiary institutions across the country, increasing the average annual intake from about 700,000 to one million students.

According to the government, the new policy aims to expand access to higher education and create opportunities for an additional 250,000 to 300,000 admissions each year.

The minister explained that the reform became necessary after years of limited access, which left many qualified candidates unable to secure admission despite meeting the required standards.

“Every year, over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), yet only about 700,000 gain admission. This imbalance is not due to lack of ability but outdated and overly stringent entry requirements that must give way to fairness and opportunity.

“The reform is a deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education, creating opportunities for an additional 250,000 to 300,000 students each year. It reflects our commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian youth has a fair chance to learn, grow, and succeed—putting the Renewed Hope Agenda into action,’’ he said.

The revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove barriers while maintaining academic standards.

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Ondo State Governor Dr Lucky Aiyedatiwa has reiterated his administration’s dedication to revitalising the state’s education sector.

He made the remarks during the inauguration of the newly formed Ondo State Teaching Service Commission Board at the Cocoa Conference Centre in Akure on Monday.

According to a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, Aiyedatiwa said the event marked another milestone in his administration’s efforts to strengthen the foundation of education in the state.

He noted that the administration’s investments in education are already yielding results.

“Our investments in education are already yielding results — through new teacher recruitment, improved school infrastructure, and strengthened monitoring systems,” Aiyedatiwa said.

He charged the Board members to uphold integrity, fairness, and innovation, stressing that TESCOM remains central to shaping the welfare, discipline, and professional growth of teachers who nurture the next generation of leaders.

The governor also stressed continuous teacher training and capacity building, noting that “a motivated teacher produces a confident student, and confident students build a confident society.”

Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, commended the Governor’s vision and investments, highlighting Ondo State’s consistent national excellence, including recent national awards for its teachers.

Newly inaugurated TESCOM Chairman, Dr Oluwadaisi Idowu Oke, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve, pledging to justify the confidence reposed in her and the Board.

Dignitaries at the ceremony included the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Head of Service, Mr Bayo Philip; former Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi; and other top government officials.

PUNCH Online reports that Aiyedatiwa last week called for collaboration to develop the tertiary education sector of the state.

Specifically, he said the collaboration was needed to address accommodation challenges faced by students of tertiary institutions in the state, reiterating that the government alone could not meet all their needs.

He stated this during a meeting with student representatives of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, at his office in Akure, the state capital.

As part of his administration’s commitment to student welfare, the governor announced the approval of five new buses for student bodies across tertiary institutions in the state, with more to come.

He also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to supporting education and youth development through scholarships, grants, and other financial interventions.

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