“MY DAUGHTER, MY DAUGHTER” — GRIEF, SHOCK AS NURSING STUDENT FOUND DEAD IN ALOR SPARKS OUTCRY AND POLICE PROBE

By Uzo Ugwunze

In what stakeholders have described as a defining moment for teacher education in Nigeria, Dr Virginia Ejezie has been appointed Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze.

Her emergence followed a keenly contested and transparent selection process held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, involving a pool of highly qualified Chief Lecturers within and outside the institution.

The rigorous interview exercise, chaired by Dr Gani Azeez, Chairman of the Governing Council, underscored the College’s commitment to merit, due process, and academic excellence. Observers have widely commended the process as credible and aligned with best practices in tertiary institution governance.

Dr Ejezie’s academic credentials, comprising a PhD in Science Education, a Master’s in Science Education, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration and Management, positioned her uniquely at the intersection of pedagogy and institutional leadership, a combination increasingly vital in today’s higher education landscape.

Her appointment is widely regarded as a triumph of competence, experience, and visionary leadership. A prolific scholar with more than 40 academic publications in both national and international journals, she brings over three decades of dedicated service to the College. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated consistent excellence in teaching, research, and administration.

Prior to her appointment, Dr Ejezie served as the Congregation-elected representative on the Governing Council, where she played a central role in policy formulation and institutional governance. Her administrative experience is both extensive and diverse, having served as Director of Academic Planning, Dean of the School of Sciences, Head of the Department of Chemistry, and Vice Chairman of the College chapter of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU).

Beyond these roles, she has chaired and served on numerous strategic committees within and outside the institution. She has also served as an external examiner to institutions and a resource person for the National Commission for Colleges of Education during accreditation exercises, demonstrating her deep expertise in quality assurance and academic standards in teacher education.

Her tenure as Dean of the School of Sciences stands out as particularly impactful. Under her leadership, the school recorded its highest student enrolment, reflecting renewed confidence in its academic programmes. She also facilitated the acquisition of the school’s first official vehicle, highlighting her ability to translate strategic vision into tangible outcomes.

Colleagues and stakeholders describe Dr Ejezie as disciplined, results-driven, and deeply committed to institutional advancement. Her leadership style, marked by inclusiveness and strategic decisiveness, is widely expected to usher in a new phase of growth and transformation for the College.

In articulating her vision, Dr Ejezie outlined a clear roadmap centred on reinvigoration, reinvention, and the re-establishment of the College as a centre of excellence in teacher education. This vision aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in advancing the revitalisation of Colleges of Education nationwide.

Her agenda also supports the implementation of the Dual Mandate Act, a landmark reform enabling Colleges of Education to award both the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Bachelor’s Degrees in Education. This policy direction, alongside the recently renegotiated Conditions of Service for lecturers, is expected to enhance the attractiveness of the teaching profession and improve staff welfare nationwide.

Stakeholders remain optimistic that her leadership will consolidate these gains while addressing longstanding challenges within the College system, including infrastructure deficits, staff motivation, and student engagement.

As she assumes office, expectations are high. However, given her proven track record, many are confident in her ability to navigate the complexities of leadership and deliver transformative results.

Dr Ejezie’s appointment marks not only a personal milestone but also signals renewed hope for the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze — hope anchored on experience, driven by vision, and sustained by an unwavering commitment to excellence.