By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
The Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe, has come under scrutiny over its decision to advertise the positions of College Registrar and College Librarian while a related dispute involving the occupants of the two offices is still pending before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.
The matter, which is before the National Industrial Court sitting in Bauchi, involves Yusuf Shehu Aliyu, College Librarian; Muhammad Malam Ibrahim, Director of Works and Services; Ibrahim Shehu, Senior Deputy Registrar and an internal member of the College Governing Council representing the College Congregation; and Umar Muhammad Bello, College Registrar, as claimants/applicants.
The defendants/respondents are the Provost of the College, Dr Ali Adamu; the Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr Gaza Lazarus Zaka; and the Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe.
The case, with Suit No. NICN/ABJ/272/2025, is currently at the stage of negotiations for an out-of-court settlement following a request by the defendants/respondents, which the court granted.
According to information available to PERISCOPE NIGERIA, the parties have been engaged in settlement discussions, including negotiations and renegotiations, with the next hearing scheduled for October 15, 2026, for a report on the progress of the settlement.
However, despite the pendency of the settlement process, the College reportedly advertised the positions of College Registrar and College Librarian in The Nation newspaper on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
The advertisement, obtained by Periscope Nigeria correspondent in Gombe on Monday, was signed by Haruna N. Ayuba, Acting Registrar and Secretary to Council.
The development has raised concerns among those familiar with the dispute, who argue that proceeding with the advertisements while settlement discussions are ongoing could complicate the resolution of the matter.
A source close to the case described the action as “unfortunate, negative and prejudicial,” particularly because the court has not delivered a final judgment in the matter.
The source questioned the rationale for commencing a process that could potentially affect issues forming part of the subject matter of the pending dispute while the parties are still attempting to resolve the matter amicably.
However, the advertisement and the ongoing court proceedings do not, by themselves, establish that the College has acted in contempt of court or that the recruitment process is legally invalid.
Such a determination would ultimately depend on the specific orders made by the court, the terms of the settlement process and the applicable laws and regulations governing appointments into the affected positions.
As of the next adjourned date, October 15, 2026, the court is expected to receive an update on the parties’ efforts toward an out-of-court settlement.
The development has therefore placed renewed attention on the need for the College authorities and all parties to the suit to exercise caution and ensure that any administrative action taken during the pendency of the case does not undermine the settlement process or prejudice the determination of the issues before the court.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA understands that the matter remains unresolved and that the parties are still expected to report their settlement efforts to the court at the next hearing.
