University of Ibadan is enmeshed in alleged corruption scandal bordering on misappropriation of varsity funds totalling over N1.98 billion, according to a report by Independent Newspaper.
It was learnt that the sum is substantially internally generated annually from school fees and other levies charged by the university for postgraduate, undergraduate, diploma, and distance learning programmes.
A group of students and varsity dons who levelled the allegation were already spoiling for a showdown with the authorities.
Some of the agitators claim that they were putting together a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).
They have also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to beam the anti-corruption searchlight on the institution.
But Dr. Michael Alatise, the University Bursar, said those complaining should come out bold with facts. He said emphatically that he could beat his chest for the University of Ibadan when it comes to transparency.
The agitators regretted that despite huge revenue generated by the institution, learning facilities such as laboratories, libraries, and materials for research had continued to elude key centres and departments of the institution.
They also pointed out that petitions filed against the immediate past and present management of the institution had been ignored or bypassed.
One of the petitioners disclosed that the postgraduate school of the institution, in particular, was the bedrock of the alleged corruption crippling the institution.
According to her, the postgraduate school is run on collegiate system, allowing it to enjoy a quasi-semi-autonomous status.
As a result, she claimed, accounts of the postgraduate school were not subjected to scrutiny by the varsity authorities even though the provost of the postgraduate college reports directly to the vice chancellor, and the finance office headed by a deputy bursar also reports to the office of the vice chancellor.
She lamented that though the University of Ibadan, as the country’s premier university, was generating huge revenue compared to her peers, amounting close to N1.98 billion annually, it sadly has little to show for it in terms of modern teaching and research infrastructure and facilities.
Read more via Independent Newspaper
