More than 1,000 employees of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, who were hired between 2019 and 2020, protested the nonpayment of their salaries, claiming that the management of the university had embezzled N1 billion intended for personnel expenses.
The workers voiced displeasure that despite the allocation, they had gone underpaid for five years.
They asserted that a number of coworkers had passed away as a result of the financial strain brought on by the protracted salary wait.
“We are shocked and disappointed that such a huge sum meant for our salaries was mismanaged. Several of our members have died due to this non-payment,” some protesters cried out in pain.
Claims of misappropriation are denied by management.
The administration of the university responded by rejecting claims of misappropriation. Mr. Gozie Egwuatu, the University Bursar, explained that the payroll system only fully recorded 120 employees who were engaged during that time.
Egwuatu clarified that hiring procedures in 2019 and 2020 took place prior to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) being implemented by the federal government.
“Those employment processes were conducted at the university level, and capturing was incomplete. The federal government directed that the process be finalized through the Head of Service, but that has yet to happen,” Egwuatu stated.
He continued by saying that only 120 staff members—100 academic and 20 non-academic—were approved till the end of 2023, despite the university’s repeated submissions.
In addition, he said that employees mistook the N1 billion personnel cost for a salary allowance.
“The federal government clarified that the amount was intended to pay arrears for the 2025 full staff of the institution. Initially, we thought it was for the affected staff until this clarification was made,” he stated.
He reassured the staff members who were protesting that the university administration was making every effort to address the problem, including interacting with National Assembly members who had brought up motions on the subject and submitting forceful appeals to the federal government.
“We are aware of their plight and will continue to push for the full capturing of all affected staff and their rightful payment,” he said.