UNIABUJA Visitation Panel Reveals Shocking Financial Irregularities and Over-Bloated Expenditures | Reporters Nation

 A recent report from the Visitation Panel established to investigate the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) has unearthed alarming financial irregularities and inflated expenditures during the tenure of the institution's immediate past Pro-Chancellor, Alhaji Sani Maikudi. The findings, which highlight gross mismanagement and questionable financial practices, have sparked widespread concern over the university’s governance and financial integrity.

The Visitation Panel, inaugurated on April 13, 2021, by the former Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, on behalf of then-President Muhammadu Buhari, was tasked with investigating various aspects of the university's operations. These included its internally generated revenue (IGR), expenditure, governance, and the handling of disciplinary cases involving staff and students. The 342-page report, which scrutinizes activities from 2016 to 2020, paints a troubling picture of financial mismanagement and over-reliance on government subvention.

Disturbing Financial Figures

One of the most striking revelations was the expenditure of over N611 million on council expenses during the review period. The breakdown includes:

• Transport and subsistence allowances: N147,201,763
• Sitting allowances: N370,364,981
• Other expenses: N109,959,862

The report also highlights a staggering deficit in the university’s financial operations, with the institution declaring deficit expenditures over income for all reviewed years. The most significant deficit of N2.7 billion was recorded in 2016, a figure the panel described as "preposterous."

Inflated Allowances and Lack of Accountability

The panel’s findings show a significant portion of the council’s expenses were spent on allowances. For instance, sitting allowances for 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 amounted to N354,544,836, while transport and subsistence allowances in 2017 alone totaled N96,221,500. These figures represented roughly 8% of the university’s internally generated revenue (IGR) of N7.7 billion during the period under review.

Clarifications sought from the bursary regarding these expenditures yielded little insight. The report indicates that "efforts to obtain clarifications on the sitting allowance of N370,364,981 and the transport and subsistence allowance of N96,221,500 proved abortive." Similarly, "other expenses" cited in the report included costs for council committee meetings, maintenance of the university guest house, refreshments, printing, accommodation for council members, and even international training for the vice-chancellor and council members.

The report also revealed that N89.7 million was paid to principal officers as non-serial allowances, including housing allowances, furniture allowances, and official car allocations. These payments, approved by the council, raised further questions about the appropriateness of such expenditures.

Governance and Over-Dependence on Government Funds

The report details UNIABUJA’s heavy reliance on government funding. Of the total N49 billion received during the period under review, 87% came from government allocations and special funds like TETFund and NEEDS Assessment. Internally generated revenue accounted for only 12%, with less than 1% derived from investments. This over-dependence has been flagged as a significant vulnerability in the university’s financial structure.

Alarming Discrepancies in Student Fee Records

Another area of concern was the wide variation between projected and actual income from student fees. Based on official enrolment and average approved student fees for the 2019/2020 academic year, the panel projected an income of N4.8 billion, but the bursary reported only N1.65 billion in collected registration fees. This N3.2 billion discrepancy was flagged as a serious issue requiring immediate investigation.

Recommendations for Immediate Action

The panel’s comprehensive recommendations include:

1. Visitor Oversight: The President, as Visitor to the university, should demand explanations for the inflated council expenditures and ensure that any inappropriate payments are refunded.
2. Investigation into Allowances: The National Income Salaries and Wages Commission should examine the non-serial allowances paid to principal officers to determine their appropriateness.
3. Financial Reforms: The university should take urgent steps to retire advances granted to staff, settle tax liabilities, and address discrepancies in student fee collections.
4. Improved Governance: Measures should be implemented to strengthen financial management and reduce over-dependence on government funds.

Public Reaction and Next Steps

The revelations have sparked outrage among stakeholders, including students, parents, and education advocates. Many have called for a thorough investigation and stringent measures to prevent future mismanagement. Legal and financial experts have emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in addressing the panel’s findings.

As the federal government reviews the report, UNIABUJA’s management faces mounting pressure to reform its operations and rebuild public trust. The outcome of these efforts will undoubtedly serve as a litmus test for governance in Nigerian higher education institutions.