Breaking News: Edo State Govt. Removes Ambrose Alli University Bursar for “Deteriorating Financial Disbursement”

By Reporter

The Edo State Government has approved the immediate removal of the Bursar of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, as part of ongoing efforts to reposition the institution for greater efficiency, transparency, and accountability.

In an official press release issued and signed by the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Barr. Musa Ikhilor, Esq., the decision was described as necessary to strengthen the financial administration of the university and align it with the government’s broader reform agenda in the education sector.

According to the statement, the removal takes immediate effect, and all relevant authorities within the university have been directed to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities. The government reaffirmed its commitment to upholding due process and ensuring that the institution operates in line with established financial regulations and global best practices.

Barr. Ikhilor emphasized that the action was taken in the best interest of the university community and the state at large, noting that the government remains resolute in its mission to restore excellence and discipline across all state-owned institutions.

He further assured staff, students, and stakeholders of the government’s continued support for Ambrose Alli University, adding that additional measures would be introduced to enhance governance, improve service delivery, and safeguard the integrity of the institution’s financial systems.

The Edo State Government urged members of the public to remain calm and continue to support ongoing reforms aimed at revitalizing the state’s education sector.

The statement reads:

“The Edo State Government wishes to inform the general public that His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Executive Governor of Edo State and Visitor to Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, has approved certain critical administrative deployments in Ambrose Alli University as part of decisive measures to arrest the deteriorating situation in respect of financial disbursement and salary administration within the institution.

“His Excellency had, in a bid to reposition the University for improved performance and staff welfare, graciously approved an increase in the monthly subvention to the University from ₦41 million to ₦500 million. The Government further states that this subvention has consistently been disbursed in a timely manner, on or before the 20th of every month. It is therefore inexcusable that the University has continued to default in the prompt payment of salaries, with instances where staff are not paid by the end of the month and, in some cases, payments extending into the middle of the following month.

I”n addition, the Edo State Government had earlier approved and released the sum of ₦1 billion specifically for the clearance of salary backlogs and gratuities owed to staff and retired pensioners. It is deeply concerning and shocking that several months after the disbursement of these funds, no meaningful action has been taken to ensure that the monies are paid to the rightful beneficiaries, including retired pensioners and staff owed arrears. This lapse is equally inexcusable and unacceptable.

“Most notably, staff were unable to receive their March salaries during the Easter period, further compounding the hardship faced by workers and underscoring the urgent need for intervention.

“Preliminary investigations have revealed that these delays are largely attributable to operational lapses within the Bursary Department, occasioned by evident administrative inefficiencies and incompetence in its current leadership.

“Accordingly, His Excellency has directed that Dr. Sadiq Akor, the current Bursar, be redeployed to his previous academic position in the Department of Accounting with immediate effect. Furthermore, Dr. Taye Agbaje, Deputy Bursar and the most senior officer in the cadre, shall assume office as Acting Bursar pending the appointment of a substantive Bursar.

“The Edo State Government further directs that the appointment of a substantive Bursar shall be carried out strictly in line with the recommendations and demands of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT); who all emphasized and demanded that the position of Bursar is a core non-academic administrative office and must be occupied by a career non-academic staff with proven competence and cognate experience in university financial administration. It is therefore irregular and contrary to established administrative standards for academic staff to occupy or be deployed to head such a position on a substantive basis.

“The Edo State Government reassures all staff and stakeholders that it remains firmly committed to the welfare of University personnel and the restoration of administrative efficiency within the institution. Government will continue to closely monitor the activities of all organs of the University to ensure that funds released are judiciously utilized and that the institution meets the standards and expectations set for it.”