UNIZIK Boils as Seven-Year Unpaid Workers Protest Alleged Illegal Recruitment [VIDEO]

By Tony Okafor, Awka

Tension is mounting at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) following protests by aggrieved workers who claim they have remained unpaid for over six years, amid allegations of irregularities in an ongoing staff capturing and payrolling exercise.

The protesting workers, some of whom said they have been rendering services to the university since 2019 without formal remuneration, accused the institution’s management of sidelining them while allegedly using the exercise to recruit new staff without due process.

The controversy comes despite a recent work ethics training programme organised by the university management for staff, which observers had initially praised as a step toward strengthening institutional standards.

Critics, however, argue that current administrative practices fall short of those ethical expectations.

According to the aggrieved workers, the ongoing staff capturing exercise—reportedly taking place outside the university premises in Enugu—has raised concerns over transparency and accountability.

A viral protest video by one of the affected staff highlighted what they described as “questionable conditions” surrounding the process.

They further alleged that many long-serving staff members have yet to be captured in the payrolling system despite years of service, while new names are allegedly being introduced without proper advertisement, in violation of the university’s Conditions of Service and relevant Federal Government regulations.

“This situation reflects a disregard for fairness, due process and the welfare of those who have endured years of hardship,” one of the protesters said, calling for urgent intervention and a possible independent investigation to ensure compliance with due process.

The workers warned that continued neglect could erode confidence in the system and deepen unrest within the institution.

However, a different perspective emerged from a staff member involved in the capturing exercise, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“The truth is that we all know what is going on. Enugu has always been where this capturing takes place,” the source said.
The staff member explained that the exercise is being conducted within the limits of an approved federal waiver.

“The waiver given to UNIZIK was 450. They cannot employ or capture more than that. Of these, 310 were allocated to academic staff, 110 to non-academic staff, and 30 to junior staff,” the source stated.

According to the insider, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bond Anyaehie, was not responsible for securing the waiver but has been transparent in managing the process.

“In fact, the VC is more open and sincere with us than those before him. The capturing is being done in batches, and he has assured us that another batch is coming. It is a matter of patience,” the source added, dismissing the viral protest video as “misleading.”

Another source attributed the off-campus exercise to logistical constraints, noting that the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) lacks a capturing centre in Anambra State.

Reacting, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bond Anyaehie, said: “They are being captured in batches, but all of them want to be captured the same day. Their inability to accept phased capturing has remained a problem for months.”

Observers say the situation underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability and adherence to established procedures to restore confidence and equity within the university system.