Secrets Reporters

A government institution entrusted with educating the next generation is expected to operate within the boundaries of financial discipline, yet a review of the financial activities of the Federal College of Education, Yola, Adamawa State, has raised questions over the management of public funds and assets, with ₦38.07 million in financial transactions flagged across four issues, alongside an unrecovered government vehicle taken away by a former Council Chairman.

It was found that a Peugeot 307 saloon car with registration number FG 41-U48 was taken away by a former part-time council chairman after leaving the college. It was discovered that there was no evidence that the vehicle had ever been formally allocated to the former Council Chairman, yet the vehicle was taken away when he left the institution. The removal of the government vehicle was contrary to Public Service Rule 160202 and Establishment Circular SGF.19/S.52/V/720, which regulate the allocation and disposal of government property. As of the time of filing this report, the name of the council chairman could not be identified.

The provost personally approved three contracts worth a combined ₦19,695,000, covering examination booklets, academic gowns, and jackets. Each of the contracts individually exceeded the ₦2.5 million approval threshold prescribed for provosts without higher-level approval. The contracts were therefore contrary to Establishment Circular SGF/OP/I/S.3/XI/849 of 14 January 2016, which limits the financial approval authority of provosts to ₦2.5 million unless the required higher-level approval is obtained.

Further found was the ₦8,320,000 appropriated in the 2020 Appropriation Act for classroom renovation; it was instead spent on power supply and extension work. The funds were applied to a purpose different from the expenditure subhead for which they were appropriated.

The diversion of the appropriated funds was contrary to Section 80(4) of the Constitution and paragraphs 417 and 415 of the Financial Regulations 2009, which require public funds to be applied to their approved purposes and regulate the movement of appropriated funds.

Another ₦10,051,212 was spent on five contracts in 2020 without evidence of competitive bidding. The contracts included the provision of public address systems, academic gowns, and clinic drugs, among other items. No comparative quotations or other evidence demonstrating that the required competitive procurement process was followed before the contracts were awarded. The contracts were contrary to Sections 24(1) and 25(2)(ii) of the Public Procurement Act, which provide requirements for competitive procurement and the participation of qualified suppliers in public contract awards.