Leadership Tussle Disrupts Ebonyi Agric College as Rival Provosts Emerge

Tension has escalated at the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu following a leadership dispute that has thrown the institution into uncertainty.

The crisis began after two individuals—Dr. Jonah Nwawuisi and Professor Agwu Ekwe—both laid claim to the position of provost, creating confusion within the college community. While Nwawuisi had been serving in an acting capacity, Ekwe was recently named as the substantive head, a development that has sparked widespread اعتراض.

Academic and non-academic staff, under union platforms, have strongly opposed the new appointment, arguing that proper procedures were not followed. In protest, workers temporarily shut down parts of the campus and staged demonstrations, bringing normal academic activities to a halt.

Union leaders expressed frustration over what they described as a lack of transparency in the selection process, insisting that several qualified candidates were overlooked without being given a fair opportunity to compete. The situation has also created administrative confusion, with staff uncertain about whose directives to follow.

The aggrieved groups have called on the federal authorities to intervene urgently, warning that failure to address their concerns could lead to further industrial action and prolonged disruption of academic operations at the institution.