Alleged Imposition Of Provost Sparks Protest At FCA Ishiagu

Academic and administrative activities at the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, were  Monday, paralyzed as staff unions staged a protest over what they described as an irregular appointment of a new Provost.

The unrest followed the announcement of Professor Agwu Ekwe as the substantive Provost of the institution on April 10, 2026, a move that has been strongly opposed by workers who insist that due process was ignored, prior to the development, Dr. Jonah Nwawuisi had been overseeing the affairs of the college in an acting capacity.

In a show of resistance, members of the Joint Union Action (JUA) and the Academic Staff Union of Colleges of Agriculture (ASUCA) shut down the main gate and administrative offices, halting academic and administrative activities for several hours.

Speaking during the protest, JUA Chairman, Dr. ThankGod Nwaneri, lamented the confusion caused by the situation, noting that conflicting directives from two individuals claiming leadership had created uncertainty within the system. He emphasized that the unions’ stance was rooted in the need to uphold due process, not personal interests.

According to him, the selection process for a substantive Provost had already begun in 2025, with several qualified candidates submitting applications. However, he expressed concern that none of the applicants had been invited for screening before the sudden appointment was made.

The unions also decried recent administrative decisions affecting the college, including the transfer of some senior officials to distant locations, describing the actions as unjust and lacking transparency.

In a similar vein, ASUCA National President, Dr. Kadurumba Chukwuemeka, rejected the appointment, arguing that bringing in a university professor to head a College of Agriculture undermines the system and violates established norms guiding such institutions.

He called for the immediate reversal of the appointment and urged the federal government to initiate a fair and open selection process for all affected colleges. 

The union further issued a 14-day ultimatum, warning that failure to meet their demands would lead to a resumption of industrial action across the country.

The unions also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to step in and address the situation before it escalates further.