- He described them as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and generate unwarranted sympathy
The management of Ambrose Ali University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, has refuted claims that it owes its staff 32 months of unpaid salaries.
Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Asomwan Adagbonyin, dismissed the allegations on Tuesday, describing them as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and generate unwarranted sympathy.
In a press briefing, Prof. Adagbonyin clarified that the university had disbursed August salaries to 1,710 staff members, including academic, senior non-teaching, and junior staff. He also confirmed that 634 pensioners of the institution were paid.
Addressing the rumors circulating in a viral video, Adagbonyin stated, “The sweeping generalisations by the speakers in that video showed clear mischief and a desire to turn truth on its head, whip up sentiments, and cast the University in a shadow of wickedness, lack of empathy, brutality, and incapacity. This University does not owe any staff or group of staff 32 months’ salaries.”
He emphasized that AAU had adhered to the “no-work, no-pay” policy during the national eight-month strike by academic staff, and anyone claiming to be owed 32 months of salary was not being truthful.
Furthermore, Adagbonyin highlighted that the university has consistently met its salary obligations, with a “Pay Day” established by the 27th of each month. He also noted that a biometric and staff verification exercise conducted in 2021 revealed discrepancies in the records of some staff members, leading to their abandonment of the process out of fear of being exposed.
The Vice-Chancellor concluded by asserting that AAU has never lacked the capacity to pay its employees and remains committed to fulfilling its financial responsibilities.
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