The Delta State Ministry of Technical Education has ordered the immediate redeployment of Mrs. Rosemary Itawansa, Principal of Sapele Technical College, following revelations that she had turned school land into farming and wood milling activities. The shocking discovery has sparked concerns about administrative mismanagement and the diversion of public school resources for personal use.
According to a statement released by the Ministry, the decision to redeploy the Principal to the Ministry of Technical Education in Asaba is part of ongoing disciplinary procedures aimed at ensuring proper management of public technical schools in the state. Mrs. Itawansa is expected to hand over to the most senior teacher at Sapele Technical College and report to the Ministry for further posting on Monday, January 19, 2026.
The development followed a routine inspection by a monitoring team sent to assess compliance with the resumption of second-term academic activities across Delta State’s technical institutions. During the visit to Sapele Technical College, the team observed several administrative lapses, including the absence of a security officer at the school gate at 7:26 am, a bushy and untidy environment, and ongoing farming and wood milling activities on school land.
The Ministry recalled that Mrs. Itawansa had received multiple verbal warnings in the past over her conduct as the principal but failed to address the issues. A previous directive issued on January 19, 2024, which posted her to Model Technical College, Obiaruku (Ref. No. MTE/SQA/82/33), was reportedly ignored. The Ministry noted that her repeated disobedience and disregard for administrative norms warranted stricter action.
In addition to the misuse of school land, the monitoring team reported other lapses, including the collection of illegal levies from students, administrative incompetence, and alleged facilitation of ‘ghosting’ among National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members posted to the institution. Ghosting, a term used to describe the evasion of assigned duties by NYSC members, undermines the objectives of the corps and the students’ learning environment.
The Delta State Ministry of Technical Education emphasized that the redeployment is consistent with established disciplinary procedures and intended to serve as a corrective measure for the principal while preserving the integrity of technical education in the state.
“Consequently, and in line with disciplinary procedures, the Ministry has approved the redeployment of the Principal from Sapele Technical College to the Ministry of Technical Education, Asaba, for further posting. The principal is directed to hand over to the most senior teacher and resume duties at the Ministry on Monday, January 19, 2026,” the Ministry’s report stated.
Technical schools in Delta State are expected to provide students with quality vocational education, equipping them with practical skills for self-employment and national development. Mismanagement of school resources, such as diverting school land for private activities, undermines these objectives and erodes public trust in the education system.
The case of Mrs. Itawansa is not isolated. Across Nigeria, some school administrators have been found engaging in similar practices, including the collection of unauthorized fees, neglecting maintenance of school facilities, and mismanaging teaching staff. Such actions hinder educational progress and compromise students’ opportunities for skill acquisition.
The Ministry of Technical Education has, in recent years, intensified monitoring and evaluation of public technical schools to ensure accountability and effective management. Teams are deployed to assess compliance with academic calendars, infrastructure maintenance, staff attendance, and adherence to financial regulations.
Officials stressed that the monitoring exercise at Sapele Technical College reflects the Ministry’s commitment to enforcing standards in technical education. By identifying lapses and taking prompt disciplinary action, the authorities aim to reinforce professionalism and accountability in school administration.
The redeployment of Mrs. Itawansa also serves as a warning to other principals and school administrators that misconduct will not be tolerated. The Ministry reiterated that staff who fail to comply with directives or engage in activities contrary to their mandate will face sanctions, including redeployment, suspension, or dismissal.
Students and parents in Sapele have welcomed the Ministry’s action, noting that mismanagement in schools has long affected the quality of education and student welfare. Some parents reported that the misuse of school land and the collection of illegal fees had created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among students, discouraging learning and participation in academic activities.
The Ministry has also highlighted the importance of fostering a safe, clean, and organized environment for students. Ensuring proper school infrastructure, security, and compliance with administrative regulations is crucial for achieving the goals of technical education, which include skill development, entrepreneurship, and employment readiness.
Officials say the Ministry will continue to monitor the redeployment and the operations of Sapele Technical College closely. Efforts will be made to restore order, discipline, and effective administration at the school, while also preventing the recurrence of similar misconduct by school leaders in other institutions.
The Delta State Ministry of Technical Education’s decisive action against the Sapele Technical College principal underscores the importance of accountability in educational leadership. By enforcing disciplinary measures, the Ministry aims to protect students’ rights, preserve public resources, and strengthen the overall quality of technical education in Delta State.
