UNIZIK Vice Chancellor Summoned by House Committee Over Project Execution Issues

The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has called on Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi, the Acting Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, to address serious issues related to the execution of projects and alleged financial mismanagement. This decision follows the committee’s recent visit to the university, where they reviewed various documents and observed several discrepancies.

Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata, Chairman of the Committee, made the announcement and clarified that the committee’s actions are not driven by personal vendettas but by a commitment to improving the standards and accountability of Nigeria’s higher education institutions. According to Fulata, it is essential for lawmakers to address issues that obstruct the progress and proper functioning of the nation’s universities.

He stressed that the committee’s role is to ensure that public funds are used effectively and that all university projects are completed in accordance with established regulations.
During their visit, the committee discovered that the data provided by the university did not accurately reflect the actual situation on the ground regarding project completion and financial management.

One of the major concerns was the discrepancy between the university’s reported internally generated revenue of N1.5 billion and the reported expenditure of approximately N3 billion from that same revenue source. This raised serious questions about how the university could have spent more than it reportedly earned and whether proper financial controls were in place.

The committee highlighted that spending funds without proper parliamentary appropriation is a grave constitutional violation. They also criticized the university’s management for presenting what they believe to be fabricated financial figures, which undermines the credibility and integrity of the entire university management team.

Hon. Kalejaiye Paul, another member of the committee, emphasized the importance of their oversight function. He noted that many Nigerians have raised concerns that several government agencies, including universities, might perform better if there was stricter oversight and better management of funds. Paul argued that there is no justification for approving additional funds for any government organization if previously allocated funds have been mismanaged.

The committee’s review also revealed specific concerns, including the practice of making 100% payments for projects that are less than 40% complete. This practice, the committee believes, goes against financial regulations and could suggest poor financial management or corruption. Such discrepancies and violations are viewed as detrimental to the university’s financial health and overall integrity.

In light of these findings, the committee has demanded that Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi appear before them in the National Assembly. She is required to bring relevant documents and provide explanations for the observed financial discrepancies and project management issues. The committee’s investigation aims to ensure transparency, accountability, and proper use of public funds within the university.