Nigerian Reps: Fault Nnamdi Azikiwe, UNN VCs Over Oversight Absences

• The House of Representatives Committee on University Education faulted two Vice Chancellors for their alleged absence during oversight visits to federal universities in the South-East.
• Vice Chancellors of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, were specifically cited for not being present and failing to provide requested financial documents.
• Committee Chairman Abubakar Fulata stated that the absences and lack of documentation hindered a comprehensive assessment of the institutions' operations.
• The oversight visits aimed to evaluate the implementation of the 2025 and 2026 Appropriation Acts and ensure accountability for public funds.
• Other universities, including FUTO and Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, raised concerns about infrastructure, access roads, and land encroachment during the committee's visits.

The Nigerian Reps fault Nnamdi Azikiwe UNN VCs for these critical lapses in parliamentary engagement.

The Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on University Education recently expressed significant dissatisfaction with the alleged non-attendance of two Vice Chancellors during its scheduled oversight visits to federal universities in the South-East region. Committee Chairman Abubakar Fulata voiced his displeasure regarding the reported absence of Professor Ugochukwu Anyaehie from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and Professor Simon Ortuanya from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, when the committee visited their respective institutions on a recent Friday. This incident underscores ongoing parliamentary efforts to ensure federal university financial accountability Nigeria.

Beyond the absence of the university heads, the committee also criticized the alleged failure of both Nnamdi Azikiwe University and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to furnish their representatives with essential documentation. These documents were intended to detail the institutions' recent administrative and financial activities, crucial for the committee's review. Chairman Fulata explicitly stated that the combined absence of the Vice Chancellors and the lack of comprehensive supporting documents severely hampered the committee's ability to gain a full understanding of the universities' operations. The Nigerian Reps fault Nnamdi Azikiwe UNN VCs for these critical lapses in parliamentary engagement.

The oversight visits, which saw the House Committee University Education oversight team tour federal universities across the South-East geopolitical zone, were conducted to evaluate their performance and assess the implementation of the 2025 and 2026 Appropriation Acts. Abubakar Fulata emphasized that this exercise forms a vital part of the committee's constitutional responsibility, designed to enable lawmakers to scrutinize how allocated funds have been utilized before considering future budget proposals. He highlighted the importance of prudent and effective resource management by federal university leadership, asserting its critical role in the development of both individual institutions and the nation's education sector as a whole.

Fulata further clarified that these university visits were not intended to intimidate administrators or target any specific institution. Instead, their primary objective was to ensure accountability and demonstrate value for public expenditure. He noted the personal sacrifice involved, stating that committee members had left their constituencies, where they would ordinarily be campaigning for re-election in January 2027, to fulfill this "constitutional and mandatory responsibility of oversight." These visits are crucial for providing lawmakers with firsthand information on the financial and operational performance of the universities, thereby helping to identify areas that require government intervention.

While the primary focus was on accountability, the committee's visits also brought to light other significant challenges faced by federal universities. At the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), concerns were raised about the deplorable condition of the access road leading to the institution. FUTO's Vice Chancellor, Professor Ikechukwu Dozie, specifically drew the committee's attention to the poor state of the road connecting the university to nearby communities, alongside issues of land encroachment affecting the institution's property. The committee appealed to the Imo State Government and the Federal Ministry of Works for urgent intervention.

Similarly, at Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Vice Chancellor Professor Stella Lemchi appealed for government support to address infrastructure and operational challenges. These issues have arisen particularly since the institution's transition to a federal university status. Professor Lemchi outlined several critical needs, including additional lecture halls and academic buildings, improved road networks and erosion control measures, reliable electricity and renewable energy facilities, and adequate accommodation for both students and staff. She also advocated for enhanced student welfare services and investment in medical and emergency facilities, specifically mentioning the need for a functional university medical centre capable of responding effectively to emergencies.

The incidents involving Nnamdi Azikiwe University accountability and University of Nigeria Nsukka oversight highlight a critical aspect of governance risk for federal institutions. The expectation from parliamentary bodies like the House Committee on University Education is clear: Vice Chancellors, or their duly authorized representatives, must be present during oversight visits, and all requested financial and administrative documentation must be meticulously prepared and presented. Failure to adhere to these protocols not only impedes the committee's constitutional duties but also signals a potential lack of transparency and commitment to public accountability.

Such non-compliance can lead to public censure, damage the reputation of the institutions involved, and potentially influence future budgetary allocations. The emphasis by Chairman Abubakar Fulata on prudent resource utilization and ensuring value for public expenditure underscores the serious implications of these oversight findings. For federal universities in Nigeria, strict adherence to parliamentary oversight protocols is not merely a procedural formality but a fundamental requirement for maintaining public trust and securing continued government support.

Legal and compliance teams at Nigerian federal universities must ensure strict adherence to parliamentary oversight protocols, including mandatory attendance of Vice Chancellors or authorized representatives and meticulous preparation of all requested financial and administrative documentation. Failure to comply can lead to public censure, reputational damage, and potentially impact future budgetary allocations, highlighting a critical area of governance risk.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH