The Academic Staff Union of Colleges of Agriculture (ASUCA) has declared a nationwide three-day warning strike in protest against what it describes as the “unlawful and demoralising” appointment of Prof. Jeremiah Atumgwu, a university professor, as Provost of the Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Addressing the media on Thursday in Jos, Plateau State, ASUCA National President, Comrade Williams Manggoel, said the strike set to run from Monday to Wednesday next week , follows the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum issued to the federal authorities over the controversial decision.
“This appointment violates the criteria set in the official advertisement, which clearly limits eligibility to senior staff from Federal Colleges of Agriculture and National Agricultural Research Institutes,” Manggoel declared.
ASUCA maintains that Prof. Atumgwu’s appointment not only breaches standard procedure but also threatens the autonomy, morale, and identity of agricultural colleges nationwide.
“This is not just a technical misstep, it’s a direct insult to professionals who have spent decades building careers within the system. It discourages loyalty, disrupts progression, and undermines the purpose of these specialised institutions,” Manggoel warned.
The union further criticised a similar move at the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, where the advertised qualifications for the Provost position included Associate Professorship, a move it describes as an attempt to smuggle in university-based candidates unfamiliar with the operational realities of agricultural colleges.
“We demand the immediate withdrawal and re-advertisement of this post in line with the criteria used for the Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan. There has been no new Act, circular, or directive between both advertisements — this inconsistency is unacceptable,” the statement read.
ASUCA also accused the federal government of persistently sidelining the system’s internal human resource base in favour of external candidates, a practice the union believes is sowing division and threatening institutional stability.
“These universities professors come in briefly, harvest benefits, and return to the university leaving our colleges weaker than they met them,” Manggoel lamented. “This is a calculated move to degrade our institutions from within.”
In a broader call to action, the union highlighted long-standing issues such as the delayed release of the Scheme of Service (SOS) and Conditions of Service (COS) for agricultural colleges essential documents for standardising operations and protecting staff welfare.
ASUCA has vowed to escalate its action if its demands are ignored, warning that continued disregard for the structure, vision, and internal leadership of agricultural colleges will not be tolerated.
“Our message is clear: respect the system, or face sustained disruption,” Manggoel concluded.
