The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State, has suspended its Registrar and Bursar as the institution’s Governing Council orders an administrative investigation into alleged financial and administrative irregularities.
The decision was taken at the university’s 96th Statutory Meeting held from June 29 to July 3, 2026, where the Governing Council constituted an Administrative Panel of Inquiry to investigate the implementation of council decisions and other administrative matters between July 2024 and February 2026 and communicated by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa at the 262nd regular meeting of the Senate.
The Council also directed that the Registrar and the Bursar proceed on leave at the convenience of the Vice-Chancellor to enable the panel conduct its assignment without interference.
Although the Council did not publicly disclose the specific issues that informed the directive, sources within the university linked the development to concerns bordering on financial management, recruitment processes and other administrative decisions taken during the tenure of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe.
The latest development comes amid revelations contained in the report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which flagged alleged financial infractions amounting to about N6.5 billion involving the institution between 2021 and 2022.
The audit report submitted to the National Assembly identified 32 instances of non-compliance, including questionable payments, procurement breaches and unremitted revenues.
According to the report, about N5.9 billion was allegedly involved in questionable payments arising from contracts awarded above approved thresholds, extra-budgetary expenditures, procurement violations, unapproved payments and projects reportedly not executed.
The university was also accused of failing to remit N578.9 million, representing 25 per cent of its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), to the Federal Government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) as required by law.
Among the infractions highlighted were contracts worth over N2 billion allegedly awarded in violation of procurement laws, more than N1 billion in extra-budgetary spending, an alleged N44.18 million overpayment of severance allowance to a former Vice-Chancellor, N64 million in unapproved Christmas and Sallah gifts to staff, and N30.5 million paid for items and services allegedly not delivered.
The audit report also raised questions over the retention of official vehicles by former principal officers and alleged improper conversion of two official vehicles previously assigned to the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, while she served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
Other issues raised included contract splitting to avoid procurement thresholds, payment of N275 million through non-personal advances, N6.1 million spent on foreign trips without required approvals, N44.6 million in unauthorised salary arrears paid from IGR, and N45 million paid to a consultant without verifiable evidence of beneficiaries.
The Auditor-General further cited ICT projects allegedly executed without mandatory approval from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), contracts awarded without competitive bidding, unrecovered cash advances of about N242 million, unsupported contract payments and unauthorised allowances outside the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
The report noted that the university management failed to provide responses to some audit queries seeking clarification on the identified infractions.
Meanwhile, the ongoing investigation has also brought renewed attention to allegations surrounding the administration of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe.
Sources within the university alleged that about N130 million was paid as severance benefits to the former Vice-Chancellor, a matter which they said formed part of the concerns before the Governing Council.
The sources also raised questions over recruitment conducted shortly before the end of his tenure, alleging that although approval was reportedly granted for the employment of 426 staff, about 700 persons were allegedly recruited.
They further alleged that some job seekers paid between N1 million and N2.5 million to recruitment agents in exchange for employment opportunities.
However, the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, had earlier distanced her administration from the recruitment exercise, stating that the process was concluded before she assumed office.
She reportedly advised applicants who did not receive their first salary payment to understand that they were not among the 426 personnel approved for employment by the university.
Some members of the university community who spoke anonymously commended the Governing Council for initiating the probe, urging it to ensure a transparent, impartial and comprehensive investigation.
They called for accountability if anyone is found culpable of financial misconduct, abuse of office or recruitment irregularities.
The Administrative Panel of Inquiry is expected to establish the facts surrounding the allegations and recommend appropriate administrative or disciplinary actions where necessary.
In a telephone conversation with the National Ambassador on the matter, the University’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Anyaso O. Anyaso, said he was not aware of the development and never returned the call as he promised.
