The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), has clarified that its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, played no role in the University’s recent recruitment exercise, urging the public to disregard contrary insinuations.
In a statement signed by the Head of Public Relations and Protocol, Mr. Anyaso Anyaso, the University explained that the entire recruitment process, including the capture of successful applicants on the payroll, had been concluded before Professor Akanwa assumed office as Vice-Chancellor on 1st March, 2026.
According to the statement, the Vice-Chancellor had repeatedly informed members of the University community during various meetings that anyone seeking clarification on the exercise should direct such enquiries to those who managed the recruitment before her appointment.
The University further disclosed that the Federal Government granted a waiver for the recruitment of 426 staff, a figure that was also approved by the Governing Council with a directive that the then Vice-Chancellor and Management strictly adhere to it.
However, the statement noted that 618 appointment letters were issued, while 553 persons were captured on the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS). It added that the GIFMIS platform subsequently uploaded only the 426 positions approved by the Federal Government and the Governing Council.
MOUAU also emphasised that the Vice-Chancellor has no access to the GIFMIS platform and therefore lacks the authority to add, remove, or alter any names uploaded onto the system.
The University called on members of the public and stakeholders to ignore misinformation being circulated by what it described as mischief makers, rely solely on official University communication channels for accurate information, and refrain from spreading unverified reports.
Signed
Anyaso Anyaso,
Head of Public Relations and Protocol,
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
