The management of Ambrose Ali University (AAU), Ekpoma, has denied allegations that it owes its staff 32 months’ salary.
Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Asomwan Adagbonyin, addressed the claims on Tuesday, labeling them as a “mischievous attempt” to misrepresent the truth and incite unwarranted public sentiment.
Prof. Adagbonyin said that the university recently disbursed August salaries to 1,710 staff members, including academic, senior non-teaching, and junior staff. Additionally, 634 pensioners of the institution also received their payments.
The Vice Chancellor criticized a viral video that made the salary claim, calling it a deliberate effort to “turn truth on its head” and portray the university negatively.
“This University (AAU) does not owe any staff or group of staff 32 months’ salaries,” Prof. Adagbonyin asserted, explaining that the claim was not only “baseless but disingenuous.” He highlighted that AAU academic staff had participated in the national 8-month strike, during which the “no-work, no-pay” rule was enforced.
The Vice Chancellor further emphasized that individuals not on the university’s payroll cannot claim to be its staff, as suggested in the viral video.
He reaffirmed that AAU consistently meets its salary obligations, with a “Pay Day” policy ensuring payments are made by the 27th of each month.
Prof. Adagbonyin also referenced a biometric and staff verification exercise conducted in 2021, which uncovered discrepancies in the records of some staff members.
He noted that several individuals, fearing exposure, abandoned the verification process, leading to their exclusion from the payroll.
