The Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, located in Yakur local government area of Cross River State, is on the verge of appointing a new Rector following a rigorous selection process. Interviews have been conducted and the Governing Council, chaired by distinguished Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa has shortlisted three candidates and strongly recommended one, deemed to have performed best for appointment. The one recommended is an indigene of Cross River State.
Regrettably, credible reports indicate an emerging effort by some influential figures within the Federal Ministry of Education to disregard this merit-based recommendation and impose an alternative candidate from Kogi State. The plan to appoint a non-indigene who did not perform as strong as the recommended indigene appears to contravene established norms in the appointment of chief executives for federal tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
While the institution is federal in status, a longstanding, albeit informal, convention has always been that CEOs of federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education are typically drawn from the host states. This practice promotes local ownership, aligns with principles of catchment area considerations, and ensures harmony between the schools and their host states. Currently, no federal polytechnic in Nigeria is led by a Rector who is not an indigene of the host state.
Cross River State has already experienced enough marginalization in federal appointments under the current administration. To now override the Governing Council’s recommendation for the leadership of a federal institution sited within the state, and one whose new campus was generously donated by the Cross River State Government would constitute grave injustice. Recently, students of the institution have staged a peaceful protest, rightly demanding adherence to local content principles in the appointment of a new Rector.
As a concerned Cross Riverian, I appeal to the Governor, our Minister, National Assembly members from the state and all influential leaders to urgently intervene. I’m convinced that their collective voice and advocacy would ensure that the Governing Council’s recommendation is upheld and the established convention respected.
Cross River deserves the opportunity to lead its own federal institutions with the talent it possesses like other states. Therefore, this appointment must reflect the best interests of the institution, the host community/state and the federation as a whole.
Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Inyali Peter, and does not represent Theluminenews, its agent or the organisation the author works for/with.