By Suleiman Abubakar MAPSA
Established in 1976 under a Plateau State edict as the Advanced Teachers' College, the College of Education Akwanga has long served as a cornerstone for training Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) holders. Over the decades, its alumni have distinguished themselves across various sectors nationwide.
Guided by Governor Abdullahi Sule's comprehensive economic revitalization blueprint for Nasarawa State, the focus on education has been paramount. Governor Sule’s emphasis on merit-based leadership saw the appointment of Dr. Jonathan Thani as Provost of the College of Education Akwanga—a pivotal move that spurred a renaissance for the institution.
Upon assuming office, Dr. Thani faced significant challenges, including dilapidated infrastructure and a demoralized workforce. However, his deep-rooted familiarity with the college and commitment to its mission quickly set transformative changes in motion.
Harnessing over a decade of experience within the institution, Dr. Thani embarked on a focused mission to restore the college's lost glory.
Dr. Thani’s leadership prioritized building trust within the college’s ecosystem. By engaging staff, students, and unions through dialogue and collaboration, he reestablished confidence in the institution’s management. Critical to his administration's success was the improvement of staff welfare: he implemented long-overdue allowances—such as Responsibility, Headship, Hazard, and Security allowances—and addressed eight months of salary arrears. Long-awaited promotions dating from 2015 to 2022 were also finalized, thereby curbing industrial strikes and fostering workplace stability.
Students have equally benefited from Dr. Thani’s vision.
He modernized the college’s medical centre, ensured uninterrupted water and power supplies, and upgraded student hostels and lecture halls with new beds and furniture.
A hallmark of Dr. Thani’s tenure has been the accreditation of 30 NCE programmes and 8-degree programmes offered in collaboration with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria—programmes whose approval had languished due to bureaucratic delays. With decisive leadership, the college’s compliance with the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) standards was assured.
Equally noteworthy was the successful convocation of 33,902 students who graduated between 2013 and 2020—a historic event that finally granted many their long-awaited certificates.
With a forward-looking agenda, Dr. Thani, in collaboration with the Governing Council, is charting a 10-year strategic plan to ensure sustained institutional growth, consistent with Governor Sule’s Transformation Agenda. As Dr. Thani aptly emphasizes, “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 that the teachers we produce can compete globally.”
Thanks to Dr. Jonathan Thani’s transformative leadership, the College of Education Akwanga is poised to cement its status as a premier institution for teacher education in Nigeria—ushering in an era of educational excellence and societal impact.
Given the impressive achievements recorded under his leadership, Dr. Jonathan Thani undoubtedly merits reappointment to continue steering the College of Education Akwanga’s transformation agenda.
From revitalizing infrastructure and improving staff welfare to securing accreditations and fostering student welfare, Dr. Thani has laid a robust foundation for sustainable growth.
His strategic vision, commitment to excellence, and emphasis on teacher education as a driver for societal advancement demonstrate that he is the right leader to further elevate the institution. With continued support, Dr. Thani's transformational policies and programs will undoubtedly take the college to even greater heights.
