Setting the Record Straight: ANCOPSS Defends Integrity of TESCOM’s Administrative Secretary
In response to recent allegations regarding the leadership of the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) in Ondo State, the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Ondo State Branch, has issued a strong and unequivocal rejoinder to set the record straight. The accusations, which claim that the wife of the Head of Service is manipulating TESCOM’s administration, have been described by ANCOPSS as misleading, baseless, and rooted in a poor understanding of civil service structures and TESCOM’s actual performance.
ANCOPSS emphasized that it is not unprecedented for an Administrative Secretary to head TESCOM. Historical precedents exist where Administrative Secretaries worked harmoniously with Tutor Generals and produced commendable outcomes. Thus, the assertion that such an arrangement is abnormal lacks merit. Under the current Administrative Secretary, TESCOM has undergone a significant transformation that has brought structure, fairness, and accountability to its operations—factors that were previously lacking.
One of the most impactful reforms has been the implementation of a seniority-based appointment process. This shift has ended the long-standing problem of junior officers being promoted over their seniors due to favoritism or external influence. The result has been a boost in morale and job satisfaction across the teaching workforce. In addition, the leadership has fostered consistent and meaningful engagement with key educational stakeholders such as ASUSS, COBUSS, and ANCOPSS, ensuring that policy formulation and decision-making are collaborative and inclusive.
TESCOM’s decentralization of promotion exercises to senatorial districts is another milestone that has brought convenience and fairness to the system. By eliminating the need for teachers to travel long distances for promotions, the administration has not only reduced risks but also ensured that promotions are truly merit-based. Similarly, the process for handling retiree documentation has been significantly improved. Retirees now experience shorter waiting periods to access their entitlements, and the Administrative Secretary continues to engage stakeholders to improve the system further.
Newly recruited teachers now undergo a thorough and empowering induction program that equips them with the essential knowledge and tools required to excel in their roles. This is a first in the history of TESCOM in Ondo State and underscores the administration’s forward-thinking approach. Teachers’ salaries are now processed transparently, with no arbitrary deductions, and ghost workers and over-stayed personnel have been removed from the payroll. In a bold move to restore financial integrity, TESCOM has also stopped salary payments to teachers who have traveled abroad yet continued to collect wages fraudulently.
Furthermore, the longstanding disparities in inter-cadre transfers, where individuals with equal qualifications and years of experience received different remunerations, have been addressed. The current TESCOM leadership has standardized the process, eliminating systemic injustices and restoring equity. These bold reforms have repositioned TESCOM as an institution of accountability and integrity.
ANCOPSS categorically rejected the claim that the administrative structure of TESCOM is “crooked.” The current Administrative Secretary has acted strictly in line with statutory duties and civil service protocols. TESCOM’s responsibilities—including recruitment, training, development, and performance management—are being executed with a level of discipline and professionalism that had been absent in previous administrations.
The assertion that it is inappropriate for an Administrative Secretary to supervise Tutor Generals is not only incorrect but also misinformed. The current leadership structure, in which the Administrative Secretary coordinates with the three Tutor Generals across the senatorial zones, has produced no administrative conflict and remains entirely within the norms of public service operations. Allegations that the Administrative Secretary mistreats or undermines the Tutor Generals are unsubstantiated and have no basis in the actual workings of the Commission.
ANCOPSS also pointed out that it is common in the civil service for spouses to serve in the same ministry or sector, and such situations do not automatically amount to a conflict of interest. Implying otherwise without concrete evidence is a deliberate attempt to politicize a situation that should be evaluated strictly based on merit and outcomes. Moreover, the current Ministry of Education, Science and Technology is led by an Administrative Secretary, not a Permanent Secretary, further confirming the legitimacy of the current arrangement in TESCOM.
It is unfortunate that such serious accusations were made without adequate research or understanding of TESCOM’s operations. A proper investigation would have revealed the facts and disproven the misleading narrative being circulated. The claims of gross violations of civil service rules are clearly unfounded, and the accusation appears to be driven more by personal or political agendas than by genuine concern for the education sector.
The achievements of the current TESCOM leadership are too significant to be overshadowed by misinformation. From rooting out corruption to restoring due process, improving communication, and engaging stakeholders in decision-making, the Administrative Secretary has set a new benchmark in public service administration in the state. Her tireless commitment to building a transparent, accountable, and effective educational management system should be applauded rather than attacked.
The leadership of ANCOPSS, speaking on behalf of all secondary school principals in Ondo State, stands firmly in support of the Administrative Secretary and her reform-driven leadership at TESCOM. At a time when Nigeria’s educational sector demands transparency, fairness, and meritocracy, the efforts being made in Ondo State should serve as a model, not a target for unjust criticism. Any attempt to reverse the progress already achieved will not be tolerated by stakeholders committed to the future of education in the state.
Signed:
Dr. Fadekemi Jogbodo (State President)
Mr. Gabriel Olugbenga Aminu (State 1st Vice President)
Mr. Tosin Ademo (Esq) (State 2nd Vice President)
Dr. Adebayo Famakinwa (State Secretary)
Pst. Toyin Akinmoyewa (State Treasurer)
Mr. Tunde George (State PRO)
Mr. Tope Ige (State Financial Secretary)
On behalf of ANCOPSS, Ondo State Branch