…as NLC Chairman fault Provost’s continues stay in office, says his 5year tenure has elapsed
By Mfonobong Ukpong
In a bold move to strengthen the education sector, the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has taken a major step aimed at providing the necessary legislative backing to the establishment of the Akwa Ibom State University of Education, Afaha Nsit.
This follows a public hearing conducted, Wednesday 26th February 2025 by the House Committee on Education, where stakeholders gathered and gave their backing to the conversion of the 34 year old College of Education to a University of Education.
Recall that a bill seeking to transform the current College of Education at Afaha-Nsit to a full-fledged University of Education, sponsored by the member representing Eket, Dr. Nsidibe Akata has been receiving attention of the legislature, following the presentation of the bill by the lawmaker and its subsequent referral to the House Committee on Education for further legislative action.
The public hearing held at the Old Chapel of the Assembly Complex, provided a platform for stakeholders to deliberate on the initiative aimed at enhancing teacher education in the state.
Declaring the hearing open, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, represented by Deputy Leader Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob, emphasized the legislature’s commitment to advancing education through forward-thinking policies.”
This bill reflects the 8th Assembly’s dedication to providing a solid legal framework for improving the quality of education. A University of Education will play a key role in developing competent teachers who can compete globally,” he stated.
Chairman of the House Committee on Education, Hon. (Chief) Kenim Onofiok, assured that the proposed law would be carefully structured to ensure the institution’s success. “We have identified crucial areas such as governance, funding, and staffing that require fine-tuning. Our goal is to pass a bill that guarantees a model institution for teacher education,” she noted.
Backing the initiative, Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Essien, stressed the urgency of upgrading the state’s College of Education to a full-fledged university. “This transition is essential for aligning our education system with global standards and fostering academic excellence. The bill’s passage will not only elevate the institution’s status but also broaden access to higher education,” he stated, urging lawmakers to prioritize the bill’s approval.
The Provost of the College of Education, Afaha Nsit, Prof. Daniel Udo, also expressed strong support, highlighting the benefits the transformation would bring to staff and students. “A University of Education will create more academic and professional opportunities for our staff, many of whom hold PhDs. It will also maximize existing infrastructure for quality teacher training,” he remarked.
Other stakeholders at the hearing, including a former Vice -Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Aniefiok Essien, Representative of the Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network, CHRAN, Franklyn Isong, Ministry of Justice, host community of the College of Education, among others, praised the initiative, describing it as a strategic move to strengthen the state’s education sector. They acknowledged that the NCE certificates being churned out at the College were gradually being faced out, as federal government, public and private schools no longer acknowledge NCE in the recruitment of teachers.
It is hoped that once passed into law by the House of Assembly, the bill is expected to lay the foundation for a specialized institution dedicated to producing highly skilled educators to meet the evolving needs of the education system.
Meanwhile, a mild drama ensued during the public hearing when it was the turn of the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Sunny James to make his presentation at the public hearing. The NLC Chair who threw his weight behind moves to convert the College of Education at Afaha-Nsit to a to a University, had however drew the attention of the House of Assembly to what he observed as the ‘over stay ’ in office by the Provost of the College of Education, Prof. Daniel Udo.
Flaunting some documents to back his claim, Sunny James informed the gathering that going by the law of the College as regards appointment of a Provost for the College, the tenure of the current Provost had elapsed, since according to him the tenure of the Provost is 5 years, and that Prof. Udo was appointed as Provost of the College of Education in 2019 and that since he had served his five year tenure, he(NLc Chairman) was wondering what he(Prof Udo) who was at the public hearing was still doing in office up till that moment, implying that he should have since vacated the office.
His statement led to a charged atmosphere, as a rowdy session erupted, prompting the representative of the Speaker at the event, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob to interrupt him. Visibly angry by the NLC Chairman’s approach on the matter, the Nsit Ubium lawmaker cautioned the NLC Chairman to stay on the matter of discuss at the public hearing which was on the proposed conversion of the College to a University and not to discuss the tenure of the Provost of the College.
Bob remarked that public hearing was not the proper avenue for him to raise such matter, and asked him to stay on the subject matter or drop the mic if he had no better thing to say. The lawmaker reminded the NLC Chairman that there was an appropriate channel for him to raise such issue, as it was not the business of the House of Assembly to handle such matter.
