The College of Education Akwanga, established in 1976 as the Advanced Teachers' College under a Plateau State edict, has long been a pivotal institution for training Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) holders, many of whom have excelled across diverse fields. However, it recently experienced a profound transformation under the leadership of Dr. Jonathan Thani, appointed by Governor Abdullahi Sule as part of the state's broader economic revitalization and education reform agenda.
Upon assuming office as Provost, Dr. Thani confronted severe challenges, including deteriorated infrastructure and low staff morale. Leveraging over a decade of service within the institution, he embarked on a mission to restore its former glory. Central to his efforts was fostering trust among staff, students, and unions through engagement and collaboration. He prioritized staff welfare by implementing long-overdue allowances such as Responsibility, Headship, Hazard, and Security, and resolved eight months of unpaid salary arrears. He also finalized delayed promotions dating back to 2015, bringing industrial harmony to the college.
Dr. Thani’s reforms extended to improving students’ learning and living conditions. He upgraded the college’s medical centre, restored uninterrupted water and electricity supplies, and enhanced student hostels and lecture facilities with modern amenities.
A major milestone of Dr. Thani’s leadership was securing the accreditation of 30 NCE programmes and 8-degree programmes in partnership with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, ensuring compliance with the standards set by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE). The college also held a convocation for 33,902 students who graduated between 2013 and 2020, awarding them long-awaited certificates.
Looking ahead, Dr. Thani, in collaboration with the Governing Council, is developing a 10-year strategic plan aligned with Governor Sule’s Transformation Agenda. “Teacher education is the bedrock of every other endeavour. If we get it right, every other sector will thrive. We are leveraging Information and Communication Technology to ensure the global competitiveness of our teachers,” Dr. Thani stated.
Under Dr. Thani’s leadership, the College of Education Akwanga is on track to become a leading institution for teacher education in Nigeria, marking a new chapter of excellence and societal impact.
