The Federal Ministry of Education has issued a detailed clarification on the implementation of the Federal Colleges of Education Act, 2023, specifically addressing the tenure of Provosts.
This comes in response to concerns raised by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Staff Unions of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, to prevent potential crises in the sector.
In a letter dated May 23, 2024, with reference number SAF.36/S.511/T/143, the ministry outlined key provisions of the amended Act.
Signed by the Director of Legal Services, Mrs. E. B. Azorbo, on behalf of the Minister of Education, the letter clarifies that the Act stipulates a single, non-renewable five-year term for the Provosts of Federal Colleges of Education.
It reads in part, “That section 13 (7)(b) of the FCE (Amendment) Act, 2023 provided two scenarios, the first being a situation where the Provost was appointed in the first instance and has not completed the tenure of office of four years before the commencement of the amendment Act, then he shall serve for the period of five years without enjoying a renewal of appointment.
“In this case, one more year shall be added to the earlier 4 years as stated on the appointment letter based on the repealed Act.
“The second scenario which is the case at hand is where a Provost has completed the first tenure of four years and has been re-appointed for another tenure of four years when the amendment Act commences, he shall be deemed to be serving his last term of office of four years without further extension.
“The non-further extension in this case is that he cannot years without further extension. The non-further extension, in this case, is that he cannot enjoy five years under the second tenure as enjoyed by the Provost in the first Scenario. He will therefore complete the four-year term of the second tenure.”
