A fresh controversy is brewing at Government College, Umuahia, in Nigeria, as the school’s management by the Trustees of Fisher Educational Development Trust (FEDT) faces intense scrutiny. An old student of the college, Chukwudi Onwudinanti, has petitioned the Abia State House of Assembly, alleging that the school fees have skyrocketed to over N1 million, making it impossible for brilliant children from poor homes to gain admission. This move has sparked a heated debate about the accessibility and affordability of education at the institution.
According to Onwudinanti, the exorbitant school fees are just one of the many concerns surrounding the management of the school. The Abia State House of Assembly’s Committee on Public Petitions got involved in the matter in March 2025, inviting all parties to present their cases. After listening to their submissions, the committee urged all parties to maintain the status quo, pending a fair decision on the matter. However, in a surprising turn of events, the lawyer representing Onwudinanti, Mr. Ugochukwu Zik, has accused the FEDT of disobeying the Assembly’s order by announcing the selection of a new board of trustees.
Zik expressed his disappointment, stating, “Regrettably, while the National President of the GCUOBA issued a statement that the GCUOBA has suspended its intended inauguration of the new FEDT trustees and shall abide by the orders of the ABHA, the FEDT and its apologists in the USA and UK kept boasting that the ABHA is not a court of law that could stop her from inaugurating its new trustees.” This move has been perceived as a direct challenge to the authority of the Abia State House of Assembly. The counsel to the petitioner views this disobedience as an affront to the Assembly, highlighting the need for the institution to be held accountable for its actions.
During the hearing, the Co-Chairman of the Committee, Uchenna Okoro Kalu, and the FEDT members, who spoke through Onyema Nkele, denied many of the allegations brought against them in Onwudinanti’s petition. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Abia State House of Assembly will address the concerns surrounding the management of Government College, Umuahia, and the alleged disregard for its orders by the FEDT. The outcome of this controversy will have significant implications for the school, its students, and the broader community, highlighting the importance of transparency, accountability, and fairness in the management of educational institutions.
