A scandal involving N1 billion is allegedly rocking Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, prompting staff members to stage a protest over the non-payment of their salaries for five years.
The protesters claim that the N1 billion Personnel Cost, meant for the payment of over 1,000 staff members, was misappropriated.
“We are shocked and disappointed that such a huge sum of money meant for our salaries was allegedly mismanaged,” said one of the protesters.
“Several of our members have died due to the non-payment of their salaries, and we demand justice.”
However, the university management has dismissed allegations that the N1 billion Personnel Cost was misappropriated.
According to University Bursar, Mr. Gozie Egwuatu, only 120 staff members were fully captured, and the federal government promised to complete the process but failed to do so.
“Actually, in 2019 and 2020, there were some employments made, and the federal government had not introduced the IPPS, but there were capturings up to December 2020,” Egwuatu said.
“Those employment processes were at the university level, so the capturing was not fully completed, and the federal government said we should go through the Head of Service of the Federation.”
Egwuatu further explained that the university made several applications, and it wasn’t until late 2023 that it received approval for only 120 staff members, with the condition that 100 would be academic staff and 20 non-academic staff.
“We are still making strong representations before the federal government, as well as members of the National Assembly who raised motions and had resolutions regarding the fate of the staff,” Egwuatu said.
Regarding the N1 billion Personnel Cost, Egwuatu clarified that it was misconstrued as payment for the 1,000 staff members who were not fully captured. Instead, the federal government explained that the sum was for the payment of arrears for the 2025 full staff of the institution.
“That was the position because we thought it was for them until the federal government made that explanation,” Egwuatu said.
“Ever since, we have been making efforts to make the federal government complete the full capturing and ultimately pay them. The university management is aware of the plight of our staff,” Egwuatu stated.
About Author
