- The investigation targets institutions like the University of Calabar in Cross River State, the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State,…
The House of Representatives has announced plans to conduct a forensic investigation into the financial activities of universities in Nigeria’s South-South region.
Chairman of the House Committee on University Education, Rep. Abubakar Fulata, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja following an oversight visit by the lawmakers to evaluate the universities’ performance.
The investigation targets institutions like the University of Calabar in Cross River State, the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, the Federal University of Petroleum Resources in Effurun, Delta State, the Federal University in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, among others.
According to Fulata, the probe was prompted by inconsistencies and discrepancies in the financial records submitted by the universities during the committee’s visit. Additional scrutiny will also be applied to other universities such as the Federal University Otueke in Bayelsa State and the Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko in Warri South, Delta State.
The committee raised concerns over non-compliance with federal character principles and unapproved spending of internally generated revenue, particularly by newer institutions like the Federal University of Medical and Health Science Kwale in Delta State and the Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom State.
Fulata noted that the committee has visited over 30 federal universities across 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory in recent weeks, underscoring their commitment to improving the education sector despite logistical and transportation challenges.
The oversight visits, he added, have provided the committee with crucial insights into the issues facing these institutions and will inform future decisions aimed at resolving them.
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