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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The fragile industrial peace in the Federal College of Education (FCE), Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, has worsened following a seven-day ultimatum issued to the institution’s management by the academic staff under the umbrella of the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) over unresolved labour issues.
The development was contained in a communiqué jointly signed by the chapter Chairman and Secretary, Chidi Agbo and Nwachukwu Amadi, respectively, at the end of an emergency congress held on the college campus last week.
The union warned the management to expect a confrontation and other industrial actions at the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum if its demands are not addressed.
Among the union’s grievances is the recent appointment of Dr. Samuel Odo as Deputy Provost of the college. COEASU argued that the office of Deputy Provost is a critical academic and administrative position that demands democratic legitimacy, due process, and institutional integrity.
The union expressed concern that the election for a substantive Deputy Provost remains inconclusive, noting that Dr. Samuel Odo allegedly failed to hand over to Dr. Cecilia Eze, who was appointed Acting Deputy Provost following the Governing Council’s decision at its 113th meeting held on March 5, 2026.
The Union demanded immediate reversal of the appointment by the Governing Council of the College under the chairmanship of Prince Melubari Akekue, and the Provost, Dr. Pauline Ikwuegbu.
COEASU also condemned what it described as a growing culture of disregard for established rules and procedures in the appointment of Heads of Departments (HoDs), alleging violations of provisions of the Colleges of Education Act, 2023.
The union further demanded the immediate payment of promotion arrears covering 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 to academic staff who had been duly promoted after undergoing the required assessment processes.
“These arrears are entitlements, not privileges. Any further delay in payment amounts to a violation of contractual obligations and a direct attack on staff welfare. The union therefore demands the immediate payment of all outstanding promotion arrears to affected members,” it stated.
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COEASU also demanded the immediate release and payment of eight months’ outstanding salaries allegedly owed to some staff members since 2019, saying the situation has caused severe financial hardship, weakened staff morale, and raised serious ethical and legal concerns.
The union also raised alarm over what it described as the deteriorating security situation within the college. “The current security infrastructure has proven inadequate in addressing the growing threats to lives, property, and academic stability within the institution.
“We therefore demand an urgent overhaul of the college’s security department through the engagement of more trained and responsive personnel to ensure the safety of students, staff, and college facilities,” the communiqué stated.
It further highlighted the non-payment of the Peculiar Earned Academic Allowance (PEAA) for 10 months to academic staff of the institution.
According to the union, the PEAA was introduced to recognise and compensate for the unique and additional responsibilities borne by academic staff in Colleges of Education across Nigeria.
“It is a product of negotiated agreements between the Federal Government and academic staff unions and is critical to sustaining academic productivity and fairness.
“Despite its acknowledged importance and consistent inclusion in compensation structures in similar institutions, academic staff of FCE Eha-Amufu have been denied the allowance for 10 consecutive months.
“The prolonged and unacceptable delay directly affects staff morale, institutional integrity, and the overall functionality of the college’s academic system. Consequently, the union demands the immediate payment of the accumulated 10 months’ PEAA arrears to all entitled staff members.”
The union urged the college management to resolve the issues within the stipulated time frame to avoid disruption of academic and administrative activities.
It warned that failure to satisfactorily address the six demands within seven days would leave the union with no option but to embark on further legitimate actions as directed by its Congress and National Executive Council.
