Leadership at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, has dismissed claims that Vice Chancellor Professor Ursula Akanwa influenced recent hiring decisions or altered the identities of staff members. This response follows allegations from 127 terminated employees who recently urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in their case.
These workers, who stated their case at the Umuahia NUJ Press Centre, claimed they were fired on July 15, 2026, despite being included on the federal employment roster. They further alleged that university security forced them to relinquish their official appointment letters and ID cards.
University spokesperson Anyaso Anyaso countered these charges, noting that the school lacks authority over the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System managed by the Accountant General’s Office. According to Anyaso, the Federal Government originally authorized the previous administration to hire 426 staff members. However, 618 letters were issued, and 553 individuals were registered on the federal payment platform, exceeding the approved quota.
The university maintains that budgetary funding is strictly limited to the initial 426 positions. Anyaso questioned how the administration could reasonably pay staff exceeding the government-mandated limit, emphasizing that the institution must adhere strictly to established budgetary allocations.
