A scandal involving an alleged misappropriation of N1 billion has surfaced at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, sparking protests from staff members over the non-payment of their salaries for the past five years.
The protesters claim that the N1 billion Personnel Cost, which was meant to pay over 1,000 staff members, was misused. One of the protesters expressed shock and disappointment, stating, “We are shocked and disappointed that such a huge sum of money meant for our salaries was allegedly mismanaged. Several of our members have died due to the non-payment of their salaries, and we demand justice.”
However, the university management has dismissed the allegations of misappropriation. According to the University Bursar, Mr. Gozie Egwuatu, only 120 staff members were fully captured for payment, and the federal government had promised to complete the process but failed to do so.
Egwuatu explained that in 2019 and 2020, some new staff were employed, but due to the absence of the Integrated Personnel Payroll System (IPPS), the capturing process was incomplete until December 2020. He stated that the university had to work through the Head of Service of the Federation for the completion of the process.
“The capturing was not fully completed, and the federal government said we should go through the Head of Service of the Federation,” Egwuatu explained.
Egwuatu further clarified that it wasn’t until late 2023 that approval was granted for only 120 staff members, of which 100 were academic and 20 were non-academic staff. He added that the university is still making representations to the federal government, as well as to members of the National Assembly who have raised motions and made resolutions concerning the staff’s fate.
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Regarding the N1 billion Personnel Cost, Egwuatu clarified that the amount was not intended for the payment of 1,000 staff members, as was initially thought. Instead, it was allocated 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.
“We have since made efforts to urge the federal government to complete the full capturing process and ultimately pay the staff. The university management is aware of the plight of our staff,” he concluded.
