Edo State Government has announced a major administrative shake-up at Ambrose Alli University following persistent delays in salary payments and concerns over financial management within the institution.
Gatekeepers News reports that in statement issued on April 6, the government said Governor Monday Okpebholo approved the redeployment of the university’s Bursar, Dr. Sadiq Akor, citing inefficiencies in salary administration and financial disbursement processes. Akor has been directed to return to his academic role in the Department of Accounting.
To fill the gap, Dr. Taye Agbaje, the most senior Deputy Bursar, has been appointed Acting Bursar pending the selection of a substantive replacement.
The government expressed concern that despite increasing the university’s monthly subvention from ₦41 million to ₦500 million, salary payments to staff have remained inconsistent.
It noted that funds are regularly released on or before the 20th of each month, yet workers still experience delays, with some salaries paid well into the following month.
Authorities also disclosed that ₦1 billion had earlier been released to clear salary backlogs and gratuities owed to staff and pensioners. However, the government said it was “deeply concerning” that the funds had not been effectively disbursed to beneficiaries months after their release.
The situation worsened when staff reportedly did not receive their March salaries during the Easter period, intensifying hardship among workers and prompting urgent intervention.
According to preliminary findings, the delays were largely linked to operational lapses and administrative inefficiencies within the university’s bursary department.
The government further directed that the appointment of a substantive Bursar must comply with the position of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), which includes Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, and National Association of Academic Technologists. The unions insist that the role should be occupied by a qualified non-academic professional with relevant experience in university financial administration.
Reaffirming its commitment to staff welfare and institutional accountability, the Edo State Government said it would continue to monitor the university’s operations to ensure proper utilization of funds and improved administrative efficiency.
