More than 1,000 staff members of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, who were employed between 2019 and 2020, staged a protest over unpaid salaries, accusing the institution’s management of misappropriating N1 billion allocated for personnel costs.
The workers expressed outrage that despite the allocation, they had gone unpaid for five years. They claimed that several colleagues had died due to financial hardship caused by the prolonged salary delay.
“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 lamented.
Management Denies Misappropriation Claims
In response, the university management dismissed allegations of misappropriation. The University Bursar, Mr. Gozie Egwuatu, clarified that only 120 staff members employed within the period were fully captured in the payroll system.
Egwuatu explained that employment processes in 2019 and 2020 occurred before the federal government’s introduction of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
“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 said.
He added that despite several applications by the university, it wasn’t until late 2023 that approval was granted for only 120 staff members, comprising 100 academic and 20 non-academic staff.
Egwuatu further explained that the N1 billion personnel cost was misconstrued by staff as a provision for their salaries.
“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 said.
He assured the protesting staff that the university management was working diligently to resolve the issue, including making strong representations to the federal government and engaging members of the National Assembly who had raised motions on the matter.
“We are aware of their plight and will continue to push for the full capturing of all affected staff and their rightful payment,” Egwuatu emphasized.
