Fresh twist in Taraba College of Agric crisis as govt orders acting rector to take charge

The leadership crisis at the Taraba State College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, COAST, Jalingo, has taken a fresh turn following a directive by the state Commissioner, Dr. Mike Dio Jen, for the immediate takeover of the institution by the acting rector, Alhaji Ibrahim Gimba Buba.

The directive, issued on Monday, September 14, 2026, reportedly followed concerns that the suspended rector of the college, Dr. Yakubu Ali Garjila, had continued to remain in office despite his suspension by the state government.

The commissioner directed the acting rector to assume full administrative control of the institution with immediate effect.

The development is the latest in a series of actions aimed at resolving the protracted leadership dispute at the college, which has raised concerns among staff and other stakeholders.

As part of the directive, the management was also ordered to notify commercial banks where the college operates accounts and effect the removal of Garjila as a signatory to the accounts.

The directive is expected to further clarify the chain of authority at the institution and prevent the suspended rector from continuing to exercise administrative or financial control over the college.

Garjila’s continued presence in the office despite the suspension had reportedly intensified the disagreement over the leadership of the institution and raised questions about the enforcement of the state government’s directive.

The latest development is said to have also placed the acting rector in a strong position to oversee the day-to-day affairs of the college pending further resolution of the leadership crisis.

The power struggle at COAST, as observed by DAILY POST has continued to attract attention as stakeholders await further action from the state government to bring the dispute to an end and restore stability to the institution.

The situation has also raised fresh questions about the implementation of governor Agbu Kefas’ earlier suspension directive and the extent to which the latest order will resolve the competing claims of authority at the college.