A recent report by a Visitation Panel at the University of Abuja has uncovered a series of financial irregularities, including the spending of over N370 million on Governing Council sitting allowances. The panel, established to investigate the university’s operations, examined its finances, academic standards, and governance.
The 342-page report, covering the period between 2016 and 2020, highlighted significant concerns regarding the university’s financial management. It revealed that council expenses, including sitting allowances and travel costs, amounted to a staggering N611 million.
“Specifically, the panel noted a seemingly over bloated expenditure with respect to transport and subsistence allowance of N96,221,500 in 2017 alone; and further N354,544,836 of sitting allowance for 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020,” the report stated.
The panel also raised concerns about the university’s financial health, noting a significant deficit in spending compared to income. “Specifically, the university incurred the highest deficit of 2.7 billion in 2016,” the report stated, describing this as “preposterous.”
The report emphasized the need for further investigation into these expenditures and recommended that the President of Nigeria, as the university’s Visitor, demand “convincing explanations” for the excessive spending.
The Visitation Panel’s findings have raised serious questions about financial accountability and transparency within the University of Abuja. The report underscores the importance of proper financial oversight and the need for measures to prevent such irregularities in the future.
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