Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has expressed dissatisfaction with the management of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Gwoza, accusing the institution’s leadership of failing to ensure the commencement of full academic activities despite significant government support.
The governor made the remarks after inspecting the college, noting that the Borno State Government had invested more than ₦200 million in take-off grants and completed an extensive rehabilitation of the institution’s facilities.
According to Governor Zulum, the state government had earlier handed over the remodelled college to the Federal Ministry of Education after transforming the former Teachers College Gwoza into a modern higher institution.
The rehabilitation included more than 100 upgraded classrooms, modern science laboratories, improved administrative buildings, staff quarters for principal officers, and additional residential accommodation for lecturers.
Zulum recalled that his administration approved a ₦200 million take-off grant, allocated the college site in July 2023, and directed its full rehabilitation to prepare the institution for academic activities.
To further support the college, the state government also constructed a housing estate comprising 12 two-bedroom apartments and later commissioned additional staff quarters to improve staff accommodation and retention.
Despite these interventions, the governor said the institution’s management had failed to demonstrate the commitment required to commence academic programmes.
“I am not happy because this college was established about three years ago and the principal officers were appointed, especially the Provost. But to my dismay, he cannot even install a 5kVA solar power system at his office. The office is ghostly, none of them is here, an indication that there is no commitment to move this college forward,” Zulum said.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to ensuring the college becomes fully operational, stressing that the administration would continue to support the institution while demanding greater accountability from its leadership.
“We have provided ₦200 million as a take-off grant, and we have renovated almost all the buildings in the college. It is clear that there is no commitment on the side of the principal officers to drive the process and ensure academic activities commence,” the governor added.
Governor Zulum also disclosed that the findings from the inspection would be forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Education, with recommendations for changes to some of the institution’s principal officers to accelerate the commencement of academic activities.
The Federal College of Education, Gwoza, is expected to play a key role in teacher education and human capital development in southern Borno once it becomes fully operational.
