Dr. Ademola Azeez, the former Provost of the Federal College of Education, Technical (FCET) in Akoka, Lagos, was escorted out of the college amid chants of “Thief! Thief! Thief!” from staff and students.

This development followed a decision by the college’s Governing Council to have Dr. Azeez step aside due to allegations of fraud and misuse of power.

Dr. Azeez, who is set to face probes regarding fraudulent activities, fake contract executions, and withholding the certificates of graduates for five years, left the school in disgrace on July 31, 2024.

The circular announcing his removal was signed by the Registrar and Secretary to the council, Mr. Rasheed Dada, and was disseminated to the college community on the same day.

“This is to inform the college community that at the inaugural meeting of the 8th Governing Council of the college on Tuesday, July 31, 2024, the council directed that Dr. Wahab Ademola Azeez should step aside from office as the provost of the college with effect from July 31, 2024.

Sequel to the above, the council at the same meeting unanimously resolved to appoint Dr. Isaac Oluwatoyin Miller as the acting provost with immediate effect,” the circular read.

The announcement sparked celebrations among the staff and students, who had been demanding Dr. Azeez’s removal since May 27. These protests had escalated to the point of violent clashes with armed police, leading to the arrest of 32 individuals and further unrest within the college community.

The crisis within FCET Akoka also led to the dismissal of the chairmen of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) for their failure to support the workers’ protests. Additionally, the students’ union impeached their president for sending a letter to the Minister of Education in support of Dr. Azeez without their consent.

On August 16, the staff and students plan to hold a party, celebrating Dr. Azeez’s exit with funfair and themed clothing. The event is seen as a symbolic victory for those who have long campaigned for accountability and transparency within the institution.

Dr. Azeez’s camp has expressed dissatisfaction with the council’s decision, viewing it as a humiliation. However, the prevailing sentiment among the majority of the college community is that this action represents a triumph of justice and the power of collective action.